Raw cane or beet sugar in solid form market in Indonesia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Indonesian raw sugar market saw significant fluctuations in volume, driven by a mix of domestic policy and external shocks. The market volume started at 7 109 thousand tons in 2018, supported by government self-sufficiency policies and ongoing modernization of sugar mills by state-owned PT Perkebunan Nusantara, which invested in updated processing technologies to boost efficiency. In 2019, market volume dropped to 6 193 thousand tons, although domestic production remained steady due to continued state-company investments in facility upgrades and crystallization technology. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted raw material supply chains and distribution, leading to a surge in imports that pushed the total market volume up to 7 387 thousand tons, even as domestic production dipped.

The period from 2021 to 2023 featured further shifts, with market volume peaking in 2022 before a contraction. In 2021, volume grew to 7 529 thousand tons, aided by industry and government programs to diversify sugar sources—such as stevia and sugar beet—and by product innovations including new packaging and labeling aligned with updated food regulations. The market reached its highest point in 2022 at 8 119 thousand tons, as both state and private companies expanded production facilities for white crystal sugar using more environmentally friendly and efficient technologies, while new players entered the alternative sweetener segment, broadening product availability. By 2023, market volume had declined to 7 070 thousand tons.

Production raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in Indonesia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Indonesia 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, 2018-2021

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

In 2021, Indonesia produced 2 348 K t of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, marking a robust year-over-year increase of 10.6%. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 8.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 2.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 2 123 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 4.7%.

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

Exports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from Indonesia

Exports in kind, K t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 0.1 K t, then peaked in 2018, with a 4.6-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Indonesia's exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form amounted to 0.2 K t, reflecting a dramatic rise of 185.2% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 53.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the main markets for Indonesia's exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form were Japan (45.4% of exports in kind), Hong Kong (22.6% of exports in kind), and Asia, not elsewhere specified (6.9% of exports in kind), collectively accounting for 74.9% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. Exports bottomed in 2020 at 0.2 M $ US and peaked in 2021, with a 2.9-fold difference. In 2021, Indonesia's export volume of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form stood at 0.5 M $ US, up by 185.1% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 10.2%.

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

In the period from 2018 to 2021, the leading destinations for Indonesia's exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in value terms were Hong Kong (42.3% of exports in value terms), Japan (9.4% of exports in value terms), and Saudi Arabia (9.1% of exports in value terms), which together accounted for 60.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to Indonesia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2021, Indonesia's imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form stood at 5 180 K t, showing a slight decline of 1.6% versus the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 4.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 3 966 K t, while the maximum was in 2020 at 5 263 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 19.7%, and the largest increase was in 2020 at 32.7%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, the three largest markets for Indonesia's imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form were Thailand, Australia, and Brazil, together accounting for 88.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to Indonesia increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports registered 2 230 M $ US, up by 23.0% over the past year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 26.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 318 M $ US, with the largest decline in 2019 at 25.1% and the largest increase in 2020 at 37.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the main group of destinations for Indonesia's imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in value terms were Thailand (51.6% of imports in value terms), Australia (21.3% of imports in value terms), and Brazil (14.1% of imports in value terms), with a combined share of 87.0% of total flows.

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

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