Raw cane or beet sugar in solid form market in Eastern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the sugar market volume in Eastern Africa showed significant volatility. After a moderate decline to 3 271 thousand tonnes in 2019, the market surged to 4 119 thousand tonnes in 2020 and continued growing to a peak of 5 043 thousand tonnes in 2022. However, in 2023, market volume dropped to 4 069 thousand tonnes, which is 19% lower than the previous year. Local sugar production increased from 3 520 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 4 077 thousand tonnes in 2022 but fell to 3 483 thousand tonnes in 2023. Imports played a key role in market expansion, jumping from around 300 thousand tonnes in 2018-2019 to over 1 000 thousand tonnes in 2020-2022 before declining in 2023.

By 2024, new regulatory measures came into effect to protect the local industry. In September 2024, Kenya banned sugar imports from outside the COMESA and EAC trade blocs, which was expected to reduce foreign sugar inflows. Simultaneously, state-owned sugar companies like Sony Sugar invested in boosting milling capacity, and in some regions, a new sugar beet processing segment began development. These steps indicate a strengthened focus on domestic production and a potential reduction in import dependency.

Production raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in Eastern Africa

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

Eastern Africa's production of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 3 661 K t, representing a moderate 3.4% increase from 2019. Production hit its lowest point in 2018 at 3 520 K t, which also saw the steepest decline of 5.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form production in Eastern Africa reached 2 635 M $ US, showing a slight 2.6% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value fell by 25.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 567 M $ US, while the highest was in 2018 at 3 588 M $ US. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 28.5% decrease.

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

Exports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Export volumes fluctuated significantly, with a 2.1-fold difference between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020. In 2020, Eastern Africa exported 569 K t of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, showing only minor changes from the previous year. The minimum volume was 267 K t in 2018, which also experienced the largest decline of 9.6%. The biggest increase happened in 2019, with a jump of 112.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export market for raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from Eastern Africa was highly diversified. The Democratic Republic of the Congo accounted for 9.8% of exports in kind, the United States for 7.1%, and the United Kingdom for 5.6%. Together, these three countries made up just 22.5% of total flows, with the remaining 77.5% distributed among numerous other nations.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Eastern Africa's exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form were valued at 409.4 M $ US, remaining stable compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 45.4%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 13.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 272.0 M $ US, while the highest was in 2019 at 411.5 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a 3.4% drop, and the biggest increase was in 2019, with a 51.3% rise.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the value of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form exports from Eastern Africa was relatively evenly distributed. The Democratic Republic of the Congo contributed 12.2% of exports in value terms, the United States 7.6%, and the United Kingdom 5.9%. Combined, these three countries represented only 25.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Import volumes varied widely, with a 3.5-fold difference between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020. In 2020, Eastern Africa imported 1 027 K t of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, a substantial 244.5% increase year-over-year. The minimum volume was 297 K t in 2018, which also saw the steepest decline of 69.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, India, and Eswatini were the largest suppliers of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to Eastern Africa. Brazil accounted for 31.8% of imports in kind, India for 30.4%, and Eswatini for 5.7%. Together, these three countries made up 67.9% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The market displayed volatility over the observed period. Import values showed a 3.3-fold variation between the low in 2019 and the high in 2017. In 2020, Eastern Africa imported approximately 369.8 M $ US of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, marking a sharp 134.7% increase compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 157.5 M $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 67.9% drop.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Brazil, India, and Eswatini formed the core group of markets for imports in value terms. Brazil represented 31.4% of imports in value terms, India 21.5%, and Eswatini 6.5%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 59.3% of total flows.

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

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