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

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Central Asian market for raw cane or beet sugar in solid form experienced significant volatility. The market volume grew to 2.2 million tonnes in 2019, driven by a sharp increase in imports to 603 thousand tonnes despite a drop in domestic production. This import surge was facilitated by shifting global trade flows, as countries like Ukraine and other CIS members sought new outlets amid a 10% decline in world sugar output. However, in 2020, the market contracted sharply to 1.5 million tonnes as both production and imports fell, with local output dropping to 1.3 million tonnes.

The market continued to decline in 2021, reaching 1.3 million tonnes, as domestic production fell further to 900 thousand tonnes. Increased imports from Russia, where sugar output was expanding, provided some support but could not fully offset the production shortfall. A strong rebound followed in 2022, with the market volume jumping to 2.1 million tonnes. This growth was underpinned by rising imports, which exceeded 1 million tonnes, and a recovery in local production. Factors such as demographic growth and changing consumer preferences in the region boosted demand, while expanded beet sugar production in Russia and other CIS countries ensured steady supply. In 2023, the market eased slightly to 2.0 million tonnes. Domestic production rose to 1.4 million tonnes, but imports fell back to 633 thousand tonnes. During this year, Russia lifted its export ban, reintegrating itself into Central Asian markets, and Kazakhstan emerged as a hub for re-exporting Russian sugar, altering trade dynamics.

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

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

Central Asia's production of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1,256 thousand tons, which represents a significant drop of 22.8% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 20.9%, averaging an annual decline of 7.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1,722 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 8.4%.

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

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

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed considerable volatility during these years. Exports fluctuated dramatically, with a 1,280-fold difference between the low of 2019 and the high of 2020. In 2020, Central Asia exported 0.1 thousand tons of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, marking an extraordinary surge of 127,881.1% from the previous year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 thousand tons, which also experienced the largest decline of 98.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure in terms of volume was highly concentrated, with Russia accounting for 99.9% of all shipments.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout this period. The lowest export value was observed in 2019, while the highest was in 2020, showing a 1,381-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Central Asia's exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form reached 0.1 million US dollars, indicating a sharp increase of 137,984.5% compared to the prior year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 99.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, raw cane or beet sugar in solid form exports from Central Asia were primarily directed to Russia, which accounted for 99.9% of the total export value.

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

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

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

Imports in kind, K t

Market behavior was marked by volatility during these years. Imports varied by a factor of 2.9, from a low in 2018 to a high in 2017. In 2020, Central Asia imported a total of value_last_year thousand tons of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, representing a decrease of 55.4% from the previous year. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 261.6 thousand tons, which also experienced the largest decline of 65.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 130.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil remained the primary source for imports in volume, holding a 76.4% share of total flows, while the remaining volume was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2017, with a 4.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Central Asia imported 104.0 million US dollars worth of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, showing a sharp decrease of 56.2% from the year before. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 99.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 76.3%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a jump of 139.5%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Brazil was the main supplier of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to Central Asia, accounting for 78.5% of total import value, while other partners had relatively modest shares.

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

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