Raw cane or beet sugar in solid form market in Mauritius

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for raw cane sugar in Mauritius experienced significant swings. The liberalization of the European sugar market in 2017, which abolished production quotas, intensified competition with cheaper beet sugar and contributed to a continued reduction in domestic sugarcane cultivation areas. Despite this structural pressure, the market volume peaked at 282.6 thousand tonnes in 2019. A sharp contraction followed in 2020, bringing the volume down to 177.3 thousand tonnes, a period during which the industry began diversifying into value-added by-products like agricultural rum and biodegradable plastics.

The period from 2021 to 2023 was marked by strategic shifts to bolster the sector. A rise in the domestic sugar price in 2022, partly due to rupee depreciation, provided some incentive for planters. More critically, the industry secured contracts for special sugars on the European market, supporting local production of higher-value products. Major sugar companies, including Medine, reported promising harvests with improved yields and extraction rates, while simultaneously investing in advanced mechanization, precision farming, and equipment modernization. These factors helped the market volume recover to 239.4 thousand tonnes by 2023.

Production raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in Mauritius

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

In 2020, Mauritius produced 270.9 thousand tons of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, marking a significant 18.2% decline compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 23.7%, with an average annual decrease of 8.6%. The only increase during this timeframe occurred in 2019, when production rose by 2.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Mauritius experienced its third consecutive year of declining production value for raw cane or beet sugar in solid form. In 2020, the output was valued at 168.0 million US dollars, representing a substantial 17.9% drop from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 36.7%, translating to an average annual decline of 14.1%.

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

Exports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from Mauritius

Exports in kind, K t

Mauritius saw its second consecutive year of growth in raw cane or beet sugar exports by volume. In 2020, exports reached 144.6 thousand tons, showing a gradual 3.7% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export volumes grew by 30.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 102.7 thousand tons, which represented a 7.5% decline from the previous year. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, when exports surged by 35.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya was the leading destination for Mauritius's raw cane or beet sugar exports by volume, accounting for 27.3% of total exports. The United Kingdom followed with 16.2%, and the United States with 10.8%. Together, these three countries represented 54.3% of Mauritius's total export volume during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Mauritius recorded its second consecutive year of growth in raw cane or beet sugar export value. In 2020, exports totaled 89 694 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 4.0% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 8.2%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 2.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 72 696 thousand US dollars, which marked a 12.3% decline from 2017. The most substantial increase occurred in 2019, when export value jumped by 18.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya was the top destination for Mauritius's raw cane or beet sugar exports by value, accounting for 22.1% of total export value. The United Kingdom followed with 17.8%, and the United States with 11.7%. Collectively, these three markets represented 51.6% of Mauritius's total export value during this timeframe.

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

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

Imports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to Mauritius

Imports in kind, K t

The import market for raw cane or beet sugar in Mauritius showed considerable volatility throughout the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 9.4 thousand tons, then peaked in 2017, creating a 12.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports amounted to 51.0 thousand tons, representing a 43.9% decrease from the previous year. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, when imports fell by 92.0%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, when imports surged by 868.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mauritius's imports of raw cane or beet sugar showed a strong concentration on Brazil, which accounted for 90.2% of total import volume during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market for raw cane or beet sugar in Mauritius displayed significant instability throughout the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 4 230 thousand US dollars, then peaked in 2017, creating a 12.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, import value was recorded at 16 836 thousand US dollars, representing a 41.1% decrease from the previous year. The most substantial decline occurred in 2018, when import value fell by 92.1%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, when import value jumped by 575.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil dominated Mauritius's imports of raw cane or beet sugar by value, accounting for 88.1% of total import value. All other countries combined represented the remaining share.

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

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