Primary sugar crops market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for primary sugar crops in Western Africa expanded from 7.2 million metric tons in 2018 to 7.5 million metric tons in 2023, driven entirely by domestic production as trade flows were negligible. Growth was uneven, with a strong 4.7% increase in 2021 pushing the market to a peak of 7.7 million metric tons in 2022, followed by a slight stabilization in 2023.

The overall 5% growth over the period occurred alongside global industry shifts, including biofuel blending mandates in major producing nations like Brazil and India, which altered worldwide sugar demand and pricing. Additionally, rising consumption of processed foods and beverages, coupled with a consumer trend toward natural sweeteners such as brown sugar, supported sustained sugar use in the region.

Production primary sugar crops in Western Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of primary sugar crops, 2017-2020

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

Western Africa's primary sugar crops production grew for two consecutive years before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 7 408 thousand tonnes. However, in 2020, output fell to 7 332 thousand tonnes, representing a 1.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 5.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.7%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when production rose by 3.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports primary sugar crops from Western Africa

Exports in kind, t

The export market for primary sugar crops in Western Africa showed considerable volatility during this period. Exports peaked in 2019 at 71 tonnes, then plummeted to zero tonnes in 2020, marking a complete 100.0% decline from the previous year. The gap between these peak and trough years was substantial, with 2019 exports being 4 710 times higher than in 2020. The most dramatic increase occurred in 2018, when exports surged by an extraordinary 43 269.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Western Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

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

World map of product's exports from Western Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values for primary sugar crops from Western Africa experienced significant fluctuations. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 69.4 thousand US dollars, while the lowest occurred in 2017. The difference between these extremes was substantial, with 2019 values being 3 768 times higher than in 2017. In 2020, export revenue dropped to zero thousand US dollars, representing a 99.9% decrease from the previous year. The most remarkable increase happened in 2018, when export values jumped by 79 733.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Western Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Saudi Arabia emerged as the primary destination for Western Africa's primary sugar crops exports, accounting for 0.6% of total export value during this period.

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

World map of product's exports from Western Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports primary sugar crops to Western Africa

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of primary sugar crops into Western Africa displayed notable volatility. The lowest volume was recorded in 2017, while imports peaked in 2018 at 91 tonnes. This represents a 5.8-fold difference between the minimum and maximum years. In 2020, imports totaled 65 tonnes, showing a moderate 6.7% decrease from the previous year. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019, when imports fell by 22.6%, while the largest increase happened in 2018 with a dramatic 479.4% surge.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Western Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

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

World map of product's imports to Western Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

After declining for two consecutive years, Western Africa's primary sugar crops imports rebounded in value terms. The lowest point was recorded in 2019 at 68.6 thousand US dollars. In 2020, import values climbed to 101.7 thousand US dollars, representing a substantial 48.2% increase compared to the previous year. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, import values decreased by 27.6%, which equates to an average annual decline of 10.2%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when import values fell by 32.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Western Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 through 2020, France, India, and Morocco consistently ranked as the top sources for Western Africa's primary sugar crops imports in value terms. France accounted for 27.0% of total import value, India contributed 3.8%, and Morocco represented 2.0%. Together, these three countries supplied 32.8% of Western Africa's primary sugar crops imports during this period.

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

World map of product's imports to Western Africa in value, 2017-2020