Raw cane or beet sugar in solid form market in Chile

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of Chile's raw sugar market fell sharply from 2.72 million tons in 2018 to 862 thousand tons in 2023. This decline was initiated by the 2018 implementation of the Food Labeling Law, which reduced sugar consumption by discouraging purchases of high-sugar products through prominent warning labels. The regulatory pressure intensified with the law's second phase in 2021, which set stricter limits and banned the sale of such products in schools, further curbing demand and pushing manufacturers to reformulate with non-nutritive sweeteners.

Simultaneously, the domestic supply base contracted significantly as the major producer Empresas Iansa consolidated its operations. The company closed its Linares refinery in 2018 and later shuttered its Los Ángeles plant, finally concentrating all production at its modernized Chillán facility by 2022. These closures directly reduced national sugar output, making the market increasingly reliant on imports to cover consumption.

A sustained shift in consumer preferences towards healthier options, reinforced by taxes on sugary beverages, continued to drive down sugar consumption through 2023. The industry responded with innovation in low-sugar products, cementing a long-term structural change in the market away from traditional sugar demand.

Production raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in Chile

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, 2018-2021

World map of production of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, 2018-2021

Chile's production of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form has declined for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 882 K t, marking a sharp decrease of 38.0% compared to 2020. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 66.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -30.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Chile in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from Chile

Exports in kind, K t

Chile's exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form have decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, export volume was 0.0 K t, reflecting an 18.9% drop from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports declined by 20.5%, with a CAGR of -7.4%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 15.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Chile in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, the main markets for Chile's exports in kind were Colombia, accounting for 37.6% of exports, Peru with 33.2%, and the United States at 9.8%. Together, these three countries formed a key cluster, representing 80.5% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Chile in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Chile's exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in value terms declined. In 2021, exports stood at 38 K $ US, down by 8.9% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, however, exports increased by 27.7%, with a CAGR of 8.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2020 at 42 K $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 20.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Chile in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, three principal markets—Colombia, Peru, and the United States—collectively accounted for 82.2% of the total export value of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from Chile.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Chile in value, 2018-2021

Imports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to Chile

Imports in kind, K t

Chile's imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports reached 136.4 K t, up by 36.4% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 62.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 17.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Chile in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In the 2018-2021 period, raw cane or beet sugar in solid form imported into Chile came primarily from Brazil, which absorbed 90.9% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Chile in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Chile's imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in value terms have risen for the third year in a row. In 2021, imports amounted to approximately 61 494 K $ US, an increase of 84.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports surged by 118.4%, with a CAGR of 29.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Chile in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Brazil dominated Chile's imports in value terms, capturing 86.2% of total flows, while other markets made up a fragmented remainder.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Chile in value, 2018-2021