Sucrose in solid form market in Argentina

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market for chemically pure sucrose in Argentina saw notable fluctuations. Starting at 1 602 thousand tons in 2018, the market volume contracted to 1 529 thousand tons in 2019. This decline coincided with the introduction of Decreto 593/2019, which strengthened controls over chemical substances including sucrose, and the presentation of a draft National Law for Chemical Risk Management, creating new regulatory frameworks that likely increased compliance burdens for producers. The market rebounded to 1 685 thousand tons in 2020, though specific drivers for this recovery were not highlighted in the available sources.

The period from 2021 to 2023 was marked by further regulatory adjustments and evolving demand patterns. In 2021, the market volume fell to 1 394 thousand tons, a year in which Resolución N° 647/2021 established new tariff values and administrative procedures for chemical substances, potentially affecting trade flows. By 2022, the market contracted further to 1 305 thousand tons. This was influenced by a shift in consumer preferences toward natural and plant-based sweeteners, exemplified by the launch of new products like Naturannova's natural peptide, which began to alter demand for traditional sucrose in food applications. In 2023, the market volume recovered to 1 515 thousand tons, approaching the levels seen earlier in the period. In value terms, the market size reflected these dynamics alongside price changes, declining from 838 million $ in 2018 to 591 million $ in 2019 before rising to 787 million $ in 2023.

Production sucrose in solid form in Argentina

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Argentina was one of the world's leading producers of solid sucrose from 2017 to 2020, ranking 22nd globally by production volume.

Top producers of sucrose in solid form, 2017-2020

World map of production of sucrose in solid form, 2017-2020

In 2020, Argentina produced 1,784 thousand tons of solid sucrose, marking a moderate year-on-year increase of 9.5%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 11.3%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 2.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of solid sucrose in Argentina was valued at 679.0 million US dollars, reflecting a 7.8% increase compared to 2019. However, from 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 15.8%, equating to an annualized decline of 5.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 630.0 million US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 873.0 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 27.8%, and the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 8.2%.

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

Exports sucrose in solid form from Argentina

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Argentina exported 99.5 thousand tons of solid sucrose, corresponding to a slight contraction of 1.4% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 43.4%, which equates to an annualized decline of 17.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 66.6 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 62.1%, while the largest increase was in 2019, with a rise of 51.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Chile and the United States were the dominant destinations for Argentina's exports of solid sucrose in volume terms, jointly accounting for 80.9% of total flows, with the remaining share going to other markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, shipments of solid sucrose from Argentina totaled 37,861 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a slight decrease of 3.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 57.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -24.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 34,834 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 60.6%, and the largest increase was in 2019, with a rise of 12.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Chile (48.7% of exports in value terms), the United States (27.8%), and Uruguay (5.3%) consistently held leading positions in Argentina's export structure for solid sucrose, jointly accounting for 81.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports sucrose in solid form to Argentina

Imports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, shipments of solid sucrose to Argentina from abroad totaled 0.0 thousand tons, reflecting a sudden rise of 73.0% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 17.8%, and the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 73.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for Argentina's imports of solid sucrose in volume terms were the Netherlands, Germany, and the United States, together accounting for 63.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The lowest value was recorded in 2019, while the highest occurred in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 3.3 times. In 2020, the volume of solid sucrose imports to Argentina stood at 202 thousand US dollars, representing a steep year-on-year rise of 225.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 62 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 46.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (29.3% of imports in value terms), Italy (25.0%), and the United States (19.8%) were the main sources in the geographical breakdown of solid sucrose imports to Argentina, with a combined share of 74.1% of total flows.

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

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