Raw cane or beet sugar in solid form market in Canada

Earlier Report Observations

The Canadian market for raw cane or beet sugar in solid form contracted significantly in 2019 when extreme weather events left 45% of the sugar beet crop unharvested, slashing domestic production and pulling total market volume down from approximately 2.8 million tonnes to 2.3 million tonnes.

Market volume recovered over the following three years, reaching 2.7 million tonnes by 2022. This expansion coincided with a global sugar supply shortage that drove prices to their highest level since 2011, caused by drought damaging cane harvests in India and Thailand. During this period, Canadian refiners announced plans to upgrade and build new processing plants, reflecting long‑term confidence in demand.

By 2023 the market stabilized near 2.7 million tonnes. Industry margins were pressured by elevated raw material and labour costs, while consumer trends toward healthier baked goods and packaged foods indirectly influenced sugar demand. Domestic policy discussions continued on supporting beet sugar production to increase the share of Canadian‑grown sugar in the market.

Production raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in Canada

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

Canada produced 1 228 K t of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in 2020, marking a 17.6% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 35.3%, averaging an annualized rate of 10.6%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 513 K t. In 2019, production saw its largest decline of 31.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 66.8% rise.

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

Exports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from Canada

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, showing a 17-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Canada exported 1 K t of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, representing a dramatic 478.5% surge compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 71.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 900.9% jump.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong was the leading destination for exports in kind, accounting for 71.1% of total flows, with other markets making up the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations over this period. The lowest value occurred in 2017, while the highest was recorded in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 14.5 times. In 2020, Canada exported 0.2 M $ US of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, equivalent to a 429.1% increase from 2019. The largest decline was in 2019 at 59.7%, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a 580.1% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Hong Kong and the United States were the dominant buyers of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from Canada, together representing 97.0% of total export value, while other destinations each held relatively small shares.

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

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

Imports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to Canada

Imports in kind, K t

Market performance displayed noticeable fluctuations during this time. Imports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.6-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Canada imported 1 308 K t of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, reflecting a moderate 4.8% year-over-year improvement. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 0.1%, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 152.5% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil and Guatemala accounted for the majority of imports in kind of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to Canada, while other markets played a less significant role.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to Canada increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Canada imported 408.0 M $ US of this product, corresponding to a modest 4.4% rise from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 6.5%, averaging an annualized decline of 2.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 389.1 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 10.8%.

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

During 2017–2020, Brazil and Guatemala continued to lead as the top markets for imports in value terms, together comprising 82.7% of total flows, with other partners playing a supplementary role.

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

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