Raw cane or beet sugar in solid form market in Mexico

Earlier Report Observations

The Mexican raw cane sugar market experienced initial growth, with volume rising from 5 722 thousand tons in 2018 to 5 915 thousand tons in 2019. This period was marked by a bilateral agreement with the United States adjusting sugar export quotas, which influenced trade flows. However, in 2020, market volume dropped to 5 377 thousand tons as the COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced out-of-home sugar consumption due to lockdowns. A recovery followed in 2021, with volume reaching 5 781 thousand tons, supported by increased sugar demand from the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, alongside growing consumer preference for organic products.

Severe drought conditions impacted the market in 2022-2023, leading to a notable decline in domestic sugar production, which fell to 5 587 thousand tons in 2023. Consequently, the market volume contracted to 5 002 thousand tons in 2023, driving up domestic prices and prompting efforts to secure imports. During this period, market consolidation advanced, exemplified by Beta San Miguel's acquisition of a stake in Sucro Limited, strengthening major players' positions in North America.

Structural factors persisted throughout the period, including a traditional production scheme with low diversification, though energy cogeneration from bagasse gained traction as a sustainable trend. Global influences, such as sugar production levels in Brazil and Thailand, along with evolving export policies in India, continued to affect international prices and the Mexican market. Demand for differentiated and organic sugar products remained a growth segment, even as the industry faced ongoing challenges in innovation and broadening its product base.

Production raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in Mexico

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Mexico ranked 14th globally in the production 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, Mexico produced 6,455 thousand tonnes of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, marking a modest increase of 4.3% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 3.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 6,711 thousand tonnes, while the lowest was in 2020 at 6,190 thousand tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2020, dropping by 7.8%, whereas the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 7.8%.

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

Exports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from Mexico

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, Mexico's cross-border shipments of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form declined in 2021. Exports totaled 674.4 thousand tonnes, down 17.2% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports increased by 26.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.1%. The peak export volume was in 2020 at 814.8 thousand tonnes, and the largest increase occurred in 2019, surging by 49.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United States dominated Mexico's export structure for raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, accounting for 94.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Mexico's exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form declined for the third consecutive year in 2021, reaching 371.4 million US dollars, a slight decrease of 7.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports fell by 19.4%, with an average annual decline of 6.9%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Mexico's export dependence on the United States was pronounced, with this market representing 95.4% of total export value for raw cane or beet sugar in solid form.

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

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

Imports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to Mexico

Imports in kind, K t

Import levels showed significant volatility during this period, fluctuating dramatically between years. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.3 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2018, with a 112-fold difference between these two years. In 2021, Mexico imported a total of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, showing a sharp decline of 53.5% compared to the previous year. The largest decrease occurred in 2019, falling by 99.1%, and the largest increase was in 2020, rising by 346.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United States was nearly the exclusive supplier of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to Mexico, capturing 100.0% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations during the 2018-2021 period. The lowest import value was in 2019 at 0.2 million US dollars, while the peak was in 2018, with a 116-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Mexico's imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form reached 0.9 million US dollars, showing a year-on-year increase of 7.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, dropping by 99.1%, and the largest increase occurred in 2020, rising by 282.6%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to Mexico were almost entirely concentrated in the United States, which held a 100.0% share of total import value.

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

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