Raw cane or beet sugar in solid form market in South-eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for raw cane or beet sugar in South-eastern Asia contracted significantly from 2018 to 2020, with volume falling from 24 166 thousand tons to 19 040 thousand tons and value declining from USD 14 989 million to USD 9 569 million.

A sharp rise in crude oil prices in 2021 increased demand for sugarcane ethanol, reducing sugar supply and pushing up prices, which led to a market value recovery to USD 10 562 million despite only a modest volume increase to 19 784 thousand tons. In 2022, the market expanded further to 21 205 thousand tons and USD 12 891 million, even as aggressive capacity expansion and price wars in the sucralose segment heightened competition among sweeteners.

By 2023, market volume declined to 20 126 thousand tons amid weak and volatile global sugar prices, while value continued to climb to USD 14 544 million. Subsequent events in 2024, including a leadership change at Vietnam's largest sugar company AgriS and growing consumer demand for reduced-sugar products in Singapore, indicated ongoing shifts in the regional market.

Production raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in South-eastern Asia

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

Production of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in South-eastern Asia declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 14 660 thousand tons, marking a dramatic 29.1% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 17.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 22 468 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 26.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of raw cane or beet sugar production in South-eastern Asia dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 7 897 million US dollars, representing a significant 19.4% decline from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 26%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.5%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 14 177 million US dollars, which saw the largest annual increase of 32.8%, while 2019 experienced the steepest decline of 30.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from South-eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

The export market showed considerable volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 440 thousand tons, then peaked in 2018 at 2 749 thousand tons—a 6.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, South-eastern Asia exported 1 990 thousand tons of raw cane or beet sugar, representing a sharp 352.0% increase from 2019. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, falling by 84.0%.

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

The country composition of exports in volume terms was highly dispersed between 2017 and 2020. China accounted for 8.9% of exports, Japan for 6.6%, and South Korea for 5.5%, together forming just 21.1% of total flows. The remaining 78.9% was distributed among a wide range of other destinations.

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

World map of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Export values exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The market reached its lowest point in 2019 at 209 million US dollars, then peaked in 2018 at 1 734 million US dollars—an 8.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, South-eastern Asia exported 1 072 million US dollars worth of raw cane or beet sugar, indicating a sharp 414.1% increase from the previous year. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, falling by 88.0%.

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

Analysis of export values from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across many markets. China accounted for 12.4% of exports by value, the United States for 7.2%, and Japan for 6.8%, together representing only 26.4% of total flows. A substantial 73.6% was distributed among other trading partners.

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

World map of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to South-eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes showed an unstable trend throughout the period. The market reached its lowest point in 2019 at 3 526 thousand tons, then peaked in 2020 at 6 370 thousand tons—a 1.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, South-eastern Asia imported 6 370 thousand tons of raw cane or beet sugar, up 80.7% from the previous year. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, falling by 20.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Brazil was the largest supplier of raw cane or beet sugar to South-eastern Asia, accounting for 26.6% of imports by volume, followed by Australia at 13.5% and South Africa at 4.5%. Together, these three countries represented 44.7% of total imports, reflecting a diversified supplier structure with no single country dominating.

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

World map of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, import values of raw cane or beet sugar in South-eastern Asia increased in 2020. Imports totaled 2 744 million US dollars, representing a 38.7% rise from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values decreased by 7.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 978 million US dollars, which also saw the steepest decline of 22.3%.

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

The partner structure for import values remained fragmented from 2017 to 2020. Brazil accounted for 27.0% of imports by value, Australia for 13.3%, and South Africa for 4.0%, together representing 44.2% of total flows. No single country achieved a dominant share, with the remaining 55.8% distributed among numerous other suppliers.

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

World map of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020