Raw cane or beet sugar in solid form market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the raw sugar market in Central America, where state-owned LAICA plays a key role in production and commercialization, saw notable movements. Product innovations in 2018, such as vitamin A-fortified sugar and raw sugar blended with stevia extract, expanded market segments and supported production volumes. However, in 2019, increased exports absorbed much of the production growth, leaving domestic market volume nearly unchanged. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 affected regional economic activity, contributing to a decline in both production and market volume.

From 2021 to 2023, production initially recovered, and market volume rose in 2021 and 2022. In 2022, the industry-wide '¡Yo te cuido!' campaign, focused on preventing child labor in sugar agribusiness, reinforced social compliance standards within the sector. By 2023, shifting consumer preferences towards clear labeling, simple ingredients, and minimally processed foods led to greater scrutiny of sugar content, coinciding with a decrease in market volume.

Production raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in Central America

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, Central America produced 11 623 K t of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, marking a 7.7% decline compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 8.1%, with an average annual decline of 2.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, when production rose by 6.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Central America's production of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 4 536 M $ US, representing a 6.3% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 22.6%, equating to an average annual decline of 8.2%.

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

Exports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from Central America

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Central America exported 2 846 K t of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, showing a significant decrease of 13.7% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 22.3%, with an average annual drop of 8.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 535 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 30.8%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase, with exports rising by 30.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Canada, and China were the main destinations for Central America's raw cane or beet sugar in solid form exports. The United States accounted for 37.5% of exports in kind, Canada for 11.0%, and China for 9.1%. Together, these three countries absorbed 57.6% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Central America's raw cane or beet sugar in solid form exports were valued at 1 110 M $ US, reflecting a strong decrease of 12.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 34.5%, with an average annual decline of 13.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 27.3%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 2.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Canada, and China were the primary buyers of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from Central America in value terms. The United States accounted for 45.0% of exports in value, Canada for 8.8%, and China for 7.7%. Collectively, these three countries represented 61.6% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to Central America

Imports in kind, K t

The market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. In 2019, imports reached their lowest point at 1 K t, marking the largest decline of 98.1%. In 2018, imports peaked at 29 K t. By 2020, Central America imported approximately 1 K t of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, indicating a sharp increase of 143.4% from 2019. The amplitude between the peak in 2018 and the trough in 2019 was 53 times.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the dominant source for raw cane or beet sugar in solid form imports to Central America, accounting for 96.8% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. In 2019, imports hit their lowest value at 0.5 M $ US, with the largest decline of 98.0%. In 2018, imports reached their highest value at 25 M $ US, showing the largest increase of 119.2%. In 2020, raw cane or beet sugar in solid form shipments to Central America amounted to 1 M $ US, reflecting a sharp rise of 101.8% from 2019. The gap between the peak in 2018 and the trough in 2019 was 51 times.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States almost entirely determined the geographical structure of imports in value terms for raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to Central America, with a share of 97.6% of total flows.

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

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