Raw cane or beet sugar in solid form market in India

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume of raw cane and beet sugar in India declined from 36 004 тыс. т in 2018 to 29 236 тыс. т in 2020. This contraction was primarily driven by monsoon variability in 2019, which reduced sugarcane yields and raw sugar availability. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further disrupted supply chains and export logistics, while government export quotas aimed to stabilize domestic prices, collectively limiting market volume.

From 2021 onward, the market recovered, reaching 37 235 тыс. т in 2023. This growth was supported by the expansion of state-owned sugar mills and the entry of new private players focusing on organic and specialty sugars, which enhanced production capacity. Export policy reforms and global supply chain disruptions influenced trade flows, contributing to market stabilization in 2022. By 2023, significant private sector investments in large-scale facilities and shifting consumer preferences toward unrefined sweeteners like raw cane jaggery boosted both supply and demand for raw sugar products.

Production raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in India

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

India was one of the world's top producers of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from 2017 to 2020, ranking fourth globally by production volume during this period.

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, India produced 28 900 thousand tonnes of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, marking a significant decrease of 15.7% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 30.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 34 309 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 54.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

India's production of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. The output was valued at 9 645 million US dollars, showing a notable drop of 12.6% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 23.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -8.6%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 14 455 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 14.6%. The most significant decline was recorded in 2019 at 23.6%.

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

Exports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from India

Exports in kind, K t

India's exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 1 675 thousand tonnes, which represents a gain of 21.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 1587.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 156.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran, Bangladesh, and Malaysia were the key export partners for India's raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in terms of volume. Iran accounted for 30.6% of exports, Bangladesh for 18.8%, and Malaysia for 13.5%, together representing 62.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 55 million US dollars and peaked in 2020, showing a fluctuation of 10.1 times between these years. In 2020, India exported 559 million US dollars worth of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, reflecting a sharp rise of 25.8% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 2.1%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2019 at 704.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—Iran, Bangladesh, and Malaysia—collectively accounted for 59.0% of the total export value of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from India.

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

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

Imports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to India

Imports in kind, K t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import levels reached their lowest point in 2019 at 985 thousand tonnes and peaked in 2017, with a 2.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, foreign supplies of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to India stood at 2 010 thousand tonnes, corresponding to an abrupt gain of 104.0% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 46.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Brazil almost entirely determined the geographical structure of imports in kind of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to India, with a share of 97.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 300 million US dollars, while the maximum occurred in 2017, resulting in a 3.5-fold variation between these years. In 2020, India imported a total of 632 million US dollars worth of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, constituting an increase of 110.6% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 47.5%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the partner structure of imports in value terms was dominated by Brazil, which consistently accounted for 97.7% of total flows.

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

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