Primary sugar crops market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

U.S. primary sugar crops production experienced notable volatility between 2018 and 2023, beginning at over 61 500 thousand tonnes. A significant drop in 2019 was followed by a strong recovery to 63 240 thousand tonnes in 2020. This rebound was driven primarily by more favorable weather conditions and crop yields that boosted harvests, alongside emerging consumer preferences for natural and minimally processed sugar products which supported demand for domestic crops.

Production stabilized near 63 000 thousand tonnes in 2021, sustained by ongoing technological advancements and the use of improved crop varieties. A contraction to 61 067 thousand tonnes occurred in 2022, largely due to a decrease in domestic sugar production, particularly in Florida. The market partially recovered in 2023 with a modest increase to 61 854 thousand tonnes, concluding the period with overall output supported by continued investment in processing efficiency and crop improvements.

Production primary sugar crops in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States ranked 6th globally in the production of primary sugar crops.

Top producers of primary sugar crops, 2017-2020

World map of production of primary sugar crops, 2017-2020

After a two-year decline, production of primary sugar crops in the United States rebounded. In 2020, the country produced 63,240 thousand tonnes, marking a 15.1% year-over-year increase. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 54,964 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 10.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decrease, the value of primary sugar crops production in the United States rose. In 2020, output was valued at 41,978 million US dollars, reflecting a 36.8% year-over-year gain. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 21.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.7%. The minimum value occurred in 2019 at 30,685 million US dollars, while the largest decline was in 2018 at 7.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports primary sugar crops from the United States

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, exports of primary sugar crops from the United States totaled 180 tonnes, showing a sharp drop of 35.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 34.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 13.0%. The peak was in 2019 at 279 tonnes, which also recorded the largest increase of 17.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Canada, Ukraine, and Hong Kong were the top buyers of primary sugar crops from the United States, accounting for 51.0%, 12.9%, and 9.2% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they represented 73.1% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the export value of primary sugar crops from the United States amounted to 119 thousand US dollars, indicating a strong contraction of 23.3% from a year earlier. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 21.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.7%. The maximum value was in 2019 at 156 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 26.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, Canada, Ukraine, and Hong Kong played leading roles in the value of primary sugar crops exports from the United States, contributing 66.0%, 9.1%, and 6.5% of exports in value terms, respectively. Their combined share reached 81.6% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020

Imports primary sugar crops to the United States

Imports in kind, t

Imports of primary sugar crops into the United States increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 28,904 tonnes, representing a surge of 341.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 1005.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 122.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, three main markets—Brazil, China, and Mexico—together accounted for 91.0% of total imports in kind of primary sugar crops to the United States.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with an 8.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the United States imported primary sugar crops valued at 1,449 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp increase of 373.3% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1,449 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 0.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, two countries—Brazil and Mexico—dominated imports in value terms of primary sugar crops to the United States, while other markets were less significant individually.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020