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

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in Middle Africa expanded from 504.4 thousand tons in 2018 to 649.3 thousand tons in 2023, driven largely by a surge in imports which grew from 66.4 thousand tons to over 222 thousand tons. In the initial years, the market was shaped by the dominance of SOSUCAM as the only company operating sugar cane plantations in Cameroon, while other players depended on imported raw sugar for local refining. The country's overall sugar potential remained underutilized due to inadequate site development and access infrastructure.

A significant shift occurred in 2020 when the market volume jumped to 640.8 thousand tons. This coincided with increased focus on structuring the sugar sector, including systematic tracking of sugar cane production and cultivated area, which supported domestic output. The market remained at a high level in 2021, influenced by Cameroon's large economy which accounted for 45% of the CEMAC sub-region's GDP, sustaining demand. The growing adoption of mobile money during this period also facilitated transactions within the agri-food sector, including for sugar. After a slight dip in 2022, the market reached a new high in 2023, underpinned by continuously rising import volumes.

Production raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in Middle 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

Middle Africa's production of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 492.2 thousand tons, marking a 10.7% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 14.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.7%.

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

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

Exports in kind, K t

Middle Africa's exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 1.0 thousand tons, which remained largely unchanged from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 67%, with an average annual decrease of 30.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Burundi, Zambia, and Uganda were the top destinations for Middle Africa's exports in kind, accounting for 4.7%, 1.2%, and 0.6% of the total, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 6.5% of all export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed significant volatility during these years. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 707 thousand US dollars, while the highest occurred in 2018 at 2 977 thousand US dollars, resulting in a peak-to-trough ratio of 4.2 times. In 2020, exports from Middle Africa reached 813 thousand US dollars, up 15.1% from 2019. The largest decline was seen in 2019, with a drop of 76.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—Burundi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe—collectively absorbed 6.5% of the total export value of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from Middle Africa.

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

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

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

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form into Middle Africa showed an unstable trend over this period. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 55.8 thousand tons, while the peak was in 2020 at 149.5 thousand tons, representing a 2.7-fold difference. In 2020, imports surged by 168.1% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a decrease of 16.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Guatemala, Brazil, and Zambia were the leading sources for imports in kind, contributing 35.9%, 34.2%, and 17.8% of the total, respectively. Combined, these three countries accounted for 87.9% of all import flows into Middle Africa.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market displayed considerable volatility during these years. The lowest value was in 2019 at 16 061 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2020 at 42 537 thousand US dollars, a 2.6-fold variation. In 2020, imports increased by 164.9% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 40.5%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, Brazil, Guatemala, and Zambia were the main sources for imports in value terms, making up 36.1%, 27.7%, and 17.5% of the total, respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for 81.3% of all import value, solidifying their role as key suppliers to Middle Africa.

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

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