Raw cane or beet sugar in solid form market Ukraine

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market volume for raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in Ukraine contracted from 15.7 million tons to 10.3 million tons. This decline was primarily driven by zero profitability in sugar production during 2018-2019, which led to a reduction in the number of operating sugar factories. The situation was exacerbated in 2020 by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted logistics and production, coupled with rising gas prices that increased manufacturing costs and further constrained output.

The market rebounded to 12.4 million tons in 2021 as a domestic sugar shortage prompted Ukraine to import 123 thousand tons, while domestic production grew by approximately 30%. However, in 2022, Russia's full-scale invasion drastically reduced the number of operational sugar plants from 33 to 23 and cut sugar beet sown area to 180.4 thousand hectares due to hostilities and soaring production costs. These war-induced constraints caused production and total market volume to fall to 11.3 million tons.

In 2023, the market expanded significantly to 15 million tons. This recovery was supported by the first increase in sugar beet cultivation area in years, reaching nearly 250 thousand hectares, which boosted production to around 1.5 million tons. The domestic market remained shielded by a 50% import duty on foreign sugar, a measure that helped sustain local industry despite growing export volumes to the EU.

Production raw cane or beet sugar in solid form Ukraine

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine ranked as the world's 8th largest producer of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form.

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

Ukraine's production of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 10 320 K t, showing a significant year-on-year decrease of 11.8%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 39%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -15.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The production value of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in Ukraine also declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 4 567 M $ US, marking a 5.7% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value dropped by 31.8%, with a CAGR of -12.0%.

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

Exports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to Ukraine

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed notable fluctuations during this period. In 2020, Ukraine exported 22 t of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, representing a sharp 99.0% decrease from 2019. Exports peaked in 2018 at 2 843 t, which was 128 times higher than the 2020 level. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, at 126.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Ukraine in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Ukraine's exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form were Azerbaijan (32.7% of exports in kind), Tajikistan (29.5%), and Georgia (10.2%). Together, these three countries accounted for 72.4% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports to Ukraine in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values exhibited considerable volatility during these years. In 2020, shipments totaled 9.8 K $ US, which was 99.0% lower than in 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 955.6 K $ US, making the 2020 figure 97 times smaller. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, at 85.7%.

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

In terms of value from 2017 to 2020, Azerbaijan (37.2% of exports in value terms), Tajikistan (24.7%), and Georgia (10.4%) were the primary markets for Ukraine's raw cane or beet sugar in solid form exports. Collectively, they represented 72.3% of total export value.

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

World map of product's exports to Ukraine in value, 2017-2020

Imports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in Ukraine

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Ukraine imported 329 t of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, a 58.0% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 65.4%, with an annualized rate of 18.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 34.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 60.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mauritius (66.8% of imports in kind), France (10.6%), and Colombia (6.5%) were the main sources of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form imports to Ukraine. Together, they accounted for 83.9% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Ukraine imported approximately 325.3 K $ US worth of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, a sharp 54.1% increase over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value rose by 30.4%, with an annualized rate of 9.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 211.1 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 34.9%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Mauritius (54.7% of imports in value terms), Colombia (9.6%), and the United Kingdom (9.0%) were the primary sources for Ukraine's imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form. These three countries together absorbed 73.3% of total import value.

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

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