Raw cane or beet sugar in solid form market in Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

In 2019, the market volume of raw cane or beet sugar in Zambia fell to 277 thousand tons from 358 thousand tons the previous year. This decline was largely driven by a significant increase in exports, as sugar solidified its position as a key agricultural export product for the country, redirecting more production away from the domestic market.

The market continued to contract to 227 thousand tons in 2020 before recovering strongly to 349 thousand tons by 2022. This rebound was followed by a decrease to 300 thousand tons in 2023, illustrating considerable volatility in domestic consumption over the period.

The market structure has long been shaped by Zambia Sugar PLC, a state-influenced company and Africa's largest single-mill cane sugar producer. By 2024, the company was focusing on operational efficiencies to reduce factory downtime and was diversifying its output into value-added products like syrups and alcohols, which influences the broader market landscape.

Production raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in Zambia

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

Zambia's production of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 398.3 K t, marking a moderate decrease of 8.6% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 7.2%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 2.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 447.8 K t, with the largest year-on-year increase of 4.3% also occurring that year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Zambia's production value of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 199.7 M $ US, representing a significant drop of 21.5% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 45.5%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 18.3%.

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

Exports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from Zambia

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during these years. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 90.2 K t, while the highest was reached in 2020 at 171.7 K t, resulting in a peak-to-trough ratio of 1.9 times. In 2020, Zambia exported 171.7 K t of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, reflecting an 8.2% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 20.2%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 75.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, and Rwanda—collectively accounted for 83.6% of Zambia's total exports in kind 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 Zambia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Zambia exported 86 072 K $ US of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in 2020, reflecting a moderate decline of 7.0% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 10.8%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 3.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 72 867 K $ US, with the largest decline of 24.5% occurring that year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 27.0%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (46.2% of exports in value terms), Kenya (21.7%), and Rwanda (16.4%) formed the core of Zambia's exports in value terms, together accounting for 84.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to Zambia

Imports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend over this period. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 0.0 K t, while the highest was in 2020 at 0.1 K t, representing a 15-fold increase from the trough to the peak. In 2020, Zambia imported 0.1 K t of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, reflecting a sharp uptick of 1,013.7% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 80.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa remained the almost exclusive supplier of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to Zambia, accounting for 91.2% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. The minimum import value was recorded in 2019 at 4 K $ US, while the peak occurred in 2020 at 46 K $ US, resulting in an 11-fold difference from the bottom to the top. In 2020, Zambia's imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form totaled 46 K $ US, marking a sharp increase of 996.9% versus the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 72.4%.

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

In 2017–2020, South Africa remained the main market for Zambia's imports in value terms, with a share of 88.3% of total flows, while the remainder was distributed across numerous other destinations.

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

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