Raw cane or beet sugar in solid form market in the United Kingdom

Earlier Report Observations

The UK market for raw cane or beet sugar in solid form saw considerable fluctuations in production and total volume between 2018 and 2023. Production reached 9.0 million tonnes in 2019, fell sharply to 6.9 million tonnes in 2020, recovered to 8.4 million tonnes in 2021, then dipped again to 6.4 million tonnes in 2022 before rebounding to 8.8 million tonnes in 2023. Overall market size followed a similar pattern, dropping to 6.8 million tonnes in 2022 and rising to 9.5 million tonnes in 2023.

From 2024, the market's supply framework has been underpinned by specific import quota arrangements. The continued 260,000-tonne raw cane sugar Access to Quota (ATQ) and the increased Australia–UK Free Trade Agreement quota of 120,000 tonnes provide UK refiners with secured access to competitively priced raw sugar, helping to buffer against global price volatility. This is particularly relevant as domestic beet sugar production remains limited by agricultural capacity, making imports a structural necessity for meeting total demand.

Production raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in the United Kingdom

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Between 2018 and 2021, the United Kingdom ranked as the world's 12th largest producer 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, the United Kingdom produced 8 402 K t of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, representing a 21.9% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production overall decreased by 4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2020 at 6 890 K t, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 8 952 K t. The most significant decline was observed in 2020, when production fell by 23.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from the United Kingdom

Exports in kind, K t

The United Kingdom's exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form declined for the third consecutive year in 2021. Export volume stood at 1.4 K t, marking a sharp decrease of 96.5% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports plummeted by 99.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 79.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Ireland, Spain, and Italy were the top buyers of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from the United Kingdom. Ireland accounted for 42.7% of exports in kind, Spain for 24.9%, and Italy for 11.8%. Together, these three countries represented 79.3% of total exports in kind.

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

World map of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

The United Kingdom's exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form declined for the third consecutive year in 2021. Export value reached 2.8 M $ US, down by 87.9% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 95.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 65.2%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Ireland, Spain, and Italy remained the primary markets for the United Kingdom's exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in value terms. Ireland held a 40.4% share, Spain 20.4%, and Italy 10.6%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 71.5% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021

Imports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to the United Kingdom

Imports in kind, K t

The United Kingdom's imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form declined for the second consecutive year in 2021. Import volume was 493.5 K t, a 6.5% decrease from the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 551.3 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 13.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Brazil, Belize, and South Africa consistently led as the main sources of imports in kind for raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to the United Kingdom. Brazil accounted for 21.1% of imports, Belize for 17.4%, and South Africa for 12.9%. Together, these three countries made up 51.3% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

The United Kingdom's imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form increased for the third consecutive year in 2021. Import value totaled 223.7 M $ US, showing a modest rise of 2.8% over the past year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 23.8%, with an annualized rate of 7.4%.

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

Over the 2018-2021 period, imports in value terms of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to the United Kingdom were distributed across a wide range of markets. Brazil, Belize, and South Africa were the top contributors, with shares of 20.1%, 17.0%, and 12.4%, respectively. However, together they accounted for only 49.4% of total import flows, indicating a diverse supplier base.

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

World map of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021