Raw cane or beet sugar in solid form market in Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for raw cane or beet sugar in the Caribbean fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, starting at 1 368 thousand tons before falling to 1 082 thousand tons in 2019. It recovered partially to 1 220 thousand tons in 2022 but declined again to 1 015 thousand tons by 2023. This overall downward trend was driven by a steep fall in domestic production, which was more than halved from 1 960 thousand tons to 943 thousand tons over the period. The shrinking local output was partially offset by rising imports, which grew from 203 thousand tons to 290 thousand tons, while exports contracted sharply.

For the French overseas departments in the Caribbean, such as Guadeloupe and Martinique, nearly 2 million tons of sugarcane were harvested on 35 220 hectares during the 2024-2025 campaign, underpinning local production. The sector is strategic, producing special unrefined sugars that face growing competition from Africa-Caribbean-Pacific countries. Furthermore, global sugar prices, influenced by favorable weather in key producers like Brazil, indirectly affect Caribbean markets. Rising demand for biofuels derived from sugarcane and sugar beet is a major global factor stimulating the sugar market, including in Caribbean producer territories, while French and European regulations on the designation and composition of raw and refined sugar also apply to these regions.

Production raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in Caribbean

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

Caribbean production of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1 777 K t, showing a slight decrease of 1.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 20.9%, with an average annual decline of 7.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of decline, Caribbean production of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form saw an increase in value. In 2020, output was valued at 632.0 M $ US, marking a moderate rise of 3.9% compared to 2019. However, between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 35.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 13.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 608.2 M $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 24.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from Caribbean

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Caribbean exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form amounted to 806 K t, representing a significant reduction of 12.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 39%, with an average annual decline of 15.2%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 796 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 39.8%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the largest increase at 15.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, the United States, and Portugal were the key partners for Caribbean exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form. China accounted for 43.6% of exports in kind, the United States for 20.0%, and Portugal for 7.6%, together representing 71.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Caribbean exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form reached 286.6 M $ US, down by 7.9% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 50%, equating to an annualized rate of 20.7%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 47.8%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 3.9%.

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

During 2017-2020, China, the United States, and Portugal accounted for the largest share of Caribbean exports in value terms. China represented 38.9% of exports, the United States 28.9%, and Portugal 5.4%, together comprising 73.2% of total export value.

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

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

Imports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to Caribbean

Imports in kind, K t

Caribbean imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 243 K t, up by 19.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 16.6%, with an average annual increase of 5.2%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 203 K t, which also saw a decline of 2.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Colombia, Guatemala, and Honduras were the main suppliers of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to the Caribbean. Colombia accounted for 29.5% of imports in kind, Guatemala for 22.4%, and Honduras for 15.5%, jointly taking 67.4% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decrease, Caribbean imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form increased in value. In 2020, imports totalled 95.8 M $ US, showing a rise of 20.9% compared to the previous year. However, between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 12.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 4.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 79.2 M $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 18.9%.

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

In 2017-2020, Colombia, Guatemala, and Honduras remained the principal suppliers of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to the Caribbean in value terms. Colombia represented 27.4% of imports, Guatemala 23.5%, and Honduras 13.6%, together accounting for 64.4% of total import value.

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

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