Raw cane or beet sugar in solid form market in Bangladesh

Earlier Report Observations

The market for raw cane sugar in Bangladesh grew from 1.8 million tons in 2018 to a peak of 2.5 million tons in 2020, driven primarily by rising legal imports. Domestic production remained a small share, below 100 000 tons annually, as government efforts focused on achieving self-sufficiency through sugarcane research, high-quality seed development by the Bangladesh Sugarcrop Research Institute, and promotion of tropical sugar beet, though low crop yields limited output growth.

Market volume then contracted after 2020, falling to 2.1 million tons by 2023. This decline coincided with a significant drop in legal imports, which was attributed to a rise in illegal sugar smuggling that undercut formal trade. During this period, the Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industry Corporation set production targets for state-owned mills, but domestic output remained constrained.

In 2024, imports fell further to 1.6 million tons as customs authorities intensified oversight and major importer S Alam Group faced legal disputes over unpaid duties. Concurrently, the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority introduced stricter food safety regulations. Underlying consumption demand continued to grow due to economic expansion and population increase, placing pressure on the formal market structure.

Production raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in Bangladesh

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, 2017-2020

World map of production of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, 2017-2020

In 2020, Bangladesh produced 100.0 K t of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, showing relative stability compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 21.3%, which translates to an annualized decline of 7.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 87.0 K t, marking the largest decline of 31.5% that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase in production, with a rise of 14.9%.

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

Exports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from Bangladesh

Exports in kind, K t

The export market for raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from Bangladesh exhibited significant volatility during these years. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 0.0 K t, which saw the largest decline of 90.5%. In 2019, exports surged with the largest increase of 6 882.1%. By 2020, export volume reached 0.0 K t, representing a sharp rise of 251.1% from the previous year. Overall, export volumes varied dramatically, with a 245-fold difference between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Bangladesh in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the core of Bangladesh's exports in kind was dominated by three key destinations: Canada accounted for 57.3% of exports, the United Arab Emirates for 18.5%, and Saudi Arabia for 11.7%. Together, these three countries represented 87.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Export values for raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from Bangladesh showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 0.0 M $ US, which experienced the largest decline of 72.9%. In 2019, exports saw the largest increase of 7 506.8%. By 2020, export value reached 0.0 M $ US, marking a modest advance of 6.8% from 2019. The gap between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020 was substantial, with an 81-fold difference.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Bangladesh in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017–2020, the main buyers of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from Bangladesh in value terms were Canada, accounting for 59.3% of exports, the United Arab Emirates with 12.5%, and Singapore with 10.3%. Collectively, these three countries formed 82.1% of total export value.

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

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

Imports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to Bangladesh

Imports in kind, K t

Bangladesh's imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling 2 406 K t, which represents a substantial rise of 10.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 19.8%, equating to an annualized decline of 7.1%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 718 K t, marking the largest decline of 42.8% that year. In 2019, imports rebounded with the largest increase of 26.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bangladesh in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical pattern of imports in kind was heavily concentrated, with Brazil absorbing 93.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, Bangladesh's imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form increased in 2020, reaching 679 M $ US, which represents a strong rise of 12.4% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 47%, translating to an annualized decline of 19.1%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 604 M $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 52.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bangladesh in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017–2020, imports in value terms remained highly focused on Brazil, which accounted for 93.7% of total import flows.

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

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