Raw cane or beet sugar in solid form market in Burundi

Earlier Report Observations

The sugar market in Burundi from 2018 to 2023 was dominated by the state-owned company SOSUMO, whose aging production facilities contributed to volatile output. After a drop to 18 478 t in 2019, production partially recovered to 20 440 t in 2020 but remained insufficient against a backdrop of rapid population growth that drove demand well above domestic supply. This inherent shortage was exacerbated by speculative trading and uneven distribution, leading the government to implement controlled distribution lists for sugar.

Production fell sharply to 15 965 t in 2021 before rebounding to 19 846 t in 2022, as authorities considered liberalizing imports to bridge the deficit. During this period, the government held talks with the Ugandan investor Kinyara Sugar to attract foreign expertise and investment into the sector. A further production decline to 13 832 t in 2023 occurred alongside the approval of new sugar cane varieties by the national agricultural institute, a move aimed at revitalizing future yields. To protect consumers, the government set an official sugar price and cracked down on speculative traders.

Production raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in Burundi

In kind, 2017-2020, 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

After a two-year decline, production of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in Burundi increased. In 2020, Burundi produced 20 436 tonnes of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, marking a strong uptick of 10.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 7.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 18 466 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 11.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Burundi in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from Burundi

Exports in kind, kg

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Exports varied significantly, with a low in 2019 and a high in 2017, showing a 21-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Burundi exported 350 kg of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, equivalent to a rise of 180.0% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 125 kg, and the largest decline also occurred in 2019 at 83.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Burundi in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Throughout 2017–2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo remained the dominant and almost sole destination for exports in kind of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from Burundi, accounting for 100.0% of the total.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export volumes in value terms reached their lowest level in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 3.1 times. In 2020, Burundi's raw cane or beet sugar in solid form exports reached 54 US dollars, up by 21.5% from 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 11.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 186.8%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, exports in value terms remained heavily focused on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which accounted for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to Burundi

Imports in kind, kg

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Imports reached their lowest level in 2020 and peaked in 2018, reflecting a 4.6-fold gap between these years. In 2020, foreign raw cane or beet sugar in solid form supplies to Burundi reached 4 327 kg, amounting to a decline of 63.5% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 19 784 kg, and the largest increase also occurred in 2018 at 241.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Burundi in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Over 2017–2020, Belgium (39.4% of imports in kind), the United Arab Emirates (25.0% of imports in kind), and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (24.0% of imports in kind) consistently occupied leading positions in the country structure of imports in kind, jointly accounting for 88.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with a low in 2020 and a high in 2018, showing a 17-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Burundi's volume of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form imports totalled 2 455 US dollars, down by 86.2% from a year earlier. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 41 646 US dollars, and the largest increase also occurred in 2018 at 738.2%.

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

In 2017–2020, Belgium remained the dominant direction for imports in value terms, with a share of 72.1% of total flows, while the remainder was fragmented across other markets.

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

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