Raw cane or beet sugar in solid form market in Zimbabwe

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the domestic market volume for raw sugar declined from 377 thousand tons to 367 thousand tons. This reduction was primarily driven by a 53% increase in export volumes, reaching 116 thousand tons in 2019, as the industry leveraged large carryover stocks and higher production to boost overseas sales.

The market volume dropped sharply to 290 thousand tons in 2020 before recovering to 365 thousand tons in 2021. The rebound was largely due to a collapse in exports, which fell from 138 thousand tons to 26 thousand tons after Kenya imposed restrictions on cheap sugar imports from Zimbabwe, forcing local producers to retain more sugar for domestic consumption.

In the following years, the market stabilized around 360 thousand tons, edging down to 356 thousand tons in 2023. That year, the government's Statutory Instrument 80 of 2023 allowed duty-free sugar imports, flooding the market with cheaper foreign sugar. In response, major local producer Hippo Valley Estates redirected displaced domestic volume to exports, increasing its export sales by 68%.

Production raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in Zimbabwe

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

Zimbabwe's production of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form declined after two years of growth. In 2019, output reached its peak at 482.9 thousand tons, but then fell by 11.6% to 427.1 thousand tons in 2020. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.9%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 15.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of expansion, Zimbabwe's production value for raw cane or beet sugar in solid form experienced a slight downturn. In 2019, the value peaked at 238.2 million US dollars, but then decreased by 4.6% to 227.3 million US dollars in 2020. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, the total value increased by 4.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2018 at 4.7%.

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

Exports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from Zimbabwe

Exports in kind, K t

Zimbabwe's exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form grew for the second year in a row. In 2019, exports stood at a lower level, but then surged by 18.9% to reach 138.1 thousand tons in 2020. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 59.9%, averaging an annual growth rate of 16.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 75.9 thousand tons, which represented a 12.2% decline from the previous year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase, with exports jumping by 53.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya and Mozambique were the primary destinations for Zimbabwe's exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, together accounting for 87.4% of total export volumes. The remaining share was distributed among other markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

For the second consecutive year, Zimbabwe's export value of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form showed an upward trend. In 2019, exports were at a lower level, but then rose by 28.2% to reach 73 509 thousand US dollars in 2020. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value increased by 53.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 38 107 thousand US dollars, marking a 20.5% decrease from the previous year. The most substantial increase occurred in 2019, when export value grew by 50.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Kenya and Mozambique dominated Zimbabwe's exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in value terms, jointly representing 85.8% of total export flows. Other destinations contributed smaller individual shares.

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

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

Imports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to Zimbabwe

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form into Zimbabwe showed significant volatility during this period. In 2018, imports hit their lowest point at nearly zero tons, representing a 99.9% decline from the previous year. However, in 2019, imports surged dramatically by 10,627.4%, followed by a further increase of 567.8% to reach 1.2 thousand tons in 2020. The peak import volume was recorded in 2017, creating a ratio of 1,164 times between the highest and lowest years.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Zambia and Mozambique were the main sources of imports for raw cane or beet sugar in solid form into Zimbabwe, accounting for the majority of import volumes. Other markets played a more limited role in supplying Zimbabwe during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values for raw cane or beet sugar in solid form into Zimbabwe exhibited considerable fluctuations. In 2018, the value dropped to its lowest point at 2 thousand US dollars, a 99.8% decrease from the previous year. This was followed by a massive increase of 4,637.7% in 2019, and then another significant rise of 506.3% to reach 621 thousand US dollars in 2020. The peak value occurred in 2017, resulting in a 534-fold difference between the highest and lowest years.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Zambia and Mozambique remained the leading sources for Zimbabwe's imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in value terms, together making up 83.4% of total import flows. Other trading partners had supplementary roles in the import market.

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

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