Raw cane or beet sugar in solid form market in Morocco

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, Morocco's raw sugar market volume remained relatively stable at around 5.4–5.5 million tonnes. This stability occurred despite a gradual decline in domestic production from 4.4 million tonnes to 4.2 million tonnes, as rising imports—growing from 1.1 million tonnes to 1.3 million tonnes—offset the lower local output.

From 2021 onward, the market contracted significantly. Domestic production fell sharply to 3.0 million tonnes in 2021 and further to 1.9 million tonnes in 2023, leading to a reduction in total market volume from 5.4 million tonnes in 2020 to 4.5 million tonnes in 2021 and 3.5 million tonnes in 2023. Although imports continued to increase, reaching 1.7 million tonnes in 2023, they could not fully compensate for the loss in local production.

In 2024, imports of raw sugar surged to 2.5 million tonnes. This jump is linked to Cosumar's project to launch a new refinery with a capacity of 500 thousand tonnes per year at the Sidi Bennour sugar plant, scheduled for commissioning in late 2024, which requires greater volumes of imported raw material. Concurrently, the VAT rate on sugar was raised from 7% to 8% starting 1 January 2024, and overall sugar subsidies were reduced as part of a policy to gradually phase out state compensation.

Production raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in Morocco

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Morocco ranked as the 21st largest producer of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form globally.

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

Morocco's production of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 4 157 K t, marking a slight decrease of 3.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 4.3%, which translates to an annualized decline of 1.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 4 353 K t, with the largest year-on-year increase also occurring that year at 0.2%.

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

Exports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from Morocco

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes showed significant volatility during this period. The lowest point was in 2017, while exports peaked in 2019, with a dramatic 60-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Morocco exported 0.0 K t of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, representing a sharp drop of 49.0% compared to 2019. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 K t, and the largest percentage increase occurred in 2018 at 2 723.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Mali, Spain, and Niger—collectively accounted for 51.7% of Morocco's total exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The export value data reveals irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. The lowest value was recorded in 2020, while the peak occurred in 2019, showing a 5.7-fold difference. In 2020, Morocco's exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form amounted to 0.0 M $ US, down by 82.4% from 2019. The highest value was in 2019 at 0.0 M $ US, with the largest percentage increase taking place in 2018 at 172.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, no single market dominated Morocco's exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in value terms. The top three destinations—Mauritania (21.5% of export value), Niger (16.2%), and Spain (7.7%)—together accounted for 45.4% of total export value, with numerous smaller partners each holding modest individual shares.

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

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

Imports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to Morocco

Imports in kind, K t

Morocco's imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 1 289 K t, reflecting a gradual rise of 7.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 11.1%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 3.6%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 1 050 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 9.6%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 14.5%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, two primary sources—Brazil and Mexico—dominated Morocco's imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, together making up 100.0% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Morocco's import value for raw cane or beet sugar in solid form rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 466.4 M $ US, showing a substantial increase of 14.1% compared to the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 8.2%, which corresponds to an annualized decline of 2.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 369.5 M $ US, marking the largest decline of 27.3% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil served as the primary source for Morocco's imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in value terms, consistently accounting for 90.5% of total import value.

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

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