Raw cane or beet sugar in solid form market in Colombia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, Colombia's raw sugar market volume contracted from 2 088 thousand tons to 1 941 thousand tons. Early in the period, government‑backed export subsidy programs helped manage domestic surpluses by directing sugar abroad. By 2021, high prices caused by a lack of domestic refineries and a growing consumer shift toward panela (unrefined cane sugar) as a substitute weighed on demand.

Market volume briefly recovered to 1 964 thousand tons in 2022, largely because exports fell to 171 thousand tons. That same year, the La Niña climate pattern brought excessive rains that reduced cane quality and raised production costs, while global supply tightness led importers to bring in more sugar ahead of logistical bottlenecks.

In 2023, volume dropped sharply to 1 821 thousand tons. The introduction of front‑of‑pack labeling rules for ultra‑processed foods and new health‑related taxes discouraged sugar consumption, and cane prices rose 26% year‑on‑year, squeezing producers’ margins.

Production raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in Colombia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Colombia ranked 26th globally in production volume of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form.

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, Colombia produced 2,248 thousand tonnes of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, marking a 0.6% increase from the previous year. Production reached its lowest point in 2019 at 2,235 thousand tonnes, while the peak was recorded in 2018 at 2,365 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 5.5% drop, and the most significant increase was in 2018 at 4.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Colombia's production of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form grew for the second consecutive year in 2020, with output valued at 1,155 million US dollars, reflecting a slight 1.6% rise from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1,094 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 13.8%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 4.0%.

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

Exports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from Colombia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Colombia exported 277.2 thousand tonnes of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, representing a significant 38.6% increase year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 24.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.5%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 200.0 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 27.9%. The peak was reached in 2018 at 277.3 thousand tonnes.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main markets for Colombia's exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form were Peru, accounting for 25.7% of exports in kind, Haiti at 24.7%, and the United States at 24.5%. Together, these three countries formed a core cluster, representing 74.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form exported from Colombia amounted to 142.5 million US dollars, showing a sharp 40.0% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 13.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 4.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 101.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 20.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the leading market for Colombia's exports in value terms, accounting for 29.2% of the total, followed by Peru at 20.2% and Haiti at 18.7%. These three countries formed the core of exports, together representing 68.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to Colombia

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form into Colombia showed high volatility from 2017 to 2020. The lowest point was in 2018 at 0.0 thousand tonnes, while imports peaked in 2020 at 7.0 thousand tonnes, marking a 127.2% increase from the previous year. This represents a fluctuation of 174 times between the two years. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 97.3%, and the most significant increase was in 2019 at 7,570.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Brazil and Ecuador were the primary suppliers of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to Colombia, together accounting for 97.1% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Import values of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form into Colombia exhibited irregular changes, indicating a volatile market. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 0.0 million US dollars, while imports reached a peak in 2020, showing a 110.8% increase from the previous year. This resulted in a peak-to-trough amplitude of 87 times. The largest decline was in 2018 at 96.6%, and the most substantial increase occurred in 2019 at 4,049.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form into Colombia were heavily concentrated, with Brazil and Ecuador together accounting for 98.7% of total flows.

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

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