Raw cane or beet sugar in solid form market in Uganda

Earlier Report Observations

Uganda's market for raw cane sugar in solid form experienced strong growth from 2018 to 2022, with volume expanding from 405 thousand tonnes to 768 thousand tonnes. The market's value increased from 258 million USD to 546 million USD over the same period, reflecting a period of significant expansion.

The market contracted in 2023, with volume falling to 496 thousand tonnes and value declining to 457 million USD. This reversal was primarily caused by Kenya's ban on imports of raw cane from Uganda in July 2023, which severed a key export channel and reduced demand for domestic production. Concurrently, regulatory uncertainty from amendments to the Sugar Act, which introduced new licensing rules and a requirement for mills to source 50% of cane from nucleus estates, constrained the supply chain and contributed to the downturn.

Production raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in Uganda

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

Uganda's production of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 520.0 K t, which represents a 7.9% increase compared to 2019. Production reached its lowest point in 2018 at 406.0 K t, marking the largest decline of 20.4% that year. However, 2019 saw the largest increase of 18.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form production in Uganda has also risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 265.1 M $ US, showing a modest year-on-year increase of 1.3%. Between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 29.4%, averaging an annual decline of 11.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 258.2 M $ US, which saw the largest decline of 31.2%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 1.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Uganda in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from Uganda

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed significant volatility during this period. The lowest point was in 2018 at 1 308 t, which marked the largest decline of 67.9%. By 2020, exports surged to 26 991 t, representing a dramatic 925.5% improvement compared to 2019 and creating a 21-fold gap between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania and Kenya were the dominant export partners for Uganda's raw cane or beet sugar in solid form. Tanzania accounted for 57.1% of total export flows, while Kenya contributed 24.9%, together making up 82.1% of exports in kind. Other partners accounted for the remaining volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values exhibited noticeable fluctuations. The lowest point was in 2018 at 832 K $ US, with the largest decline of 72.3% occurring that year. By 2020, exports reached 13 762 K $ US, showing a sharp uptick of 863.1% compared to 2019 and resulting in a 17-fold variation between the 2020 high and the 2018 low.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Tanzania, Kenya, and South Sudan consistently led Uganda's export structure in value terms. Tanzania accounted for 50.5% of exports, Kenya for 28.7%, and South Sudan for 10.4%, jointly representing 89.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to Uganda

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes displayed an unstable trend. The lowest point was in 2018 at 541 t, which saw the largest decline of 82.8%. In 2019, imports recorded the largest increase of 256.6%. By 2020, imports stood at approximately 628 t, reflecting a dramatic contraction of 67.5% from 2019 and a 5.8-fold change from the peak in 2017 to the trough in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for Uganda's imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form were Thailand, Brazil, and Ukraine. Thailand accounted for 40.5% of imports in kind, Brazil for 16.4%, and Ukraine for 11.6%, together making up 68.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values showed signs of volatility. The lowest point was in 2018 at 279 K $ US, which experienced the largest decline of 84.6%. In 2019, the largest increase of 190.4% was recorded. By 2020, imports amounted to 290 K $ US, down by 64.2% compared to 2019, with a 6.5-fold difference between the peak in 2017 and the trough in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—Thailand, Brazil, and Ukraine—collectively absorbed 68.1% of Uganda's total imports in value terms for raw cane or beet sugar in solid form.

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

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