Sucrose in solid form market in Brazil

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the Brazilian sucrose market remained mature with production aligned to domestic demand, resulting in stable market volumes around 8 000 thousand tons. During this period, the industry focused on diversifying into value-added derivatives like green solvents and organic acids, though without major capacity expansions. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic indirectly disrupted supply chains and adjusted demand, leading to a contraction of the market to 6 865 thousand tons. The following year saw a recovery to 7 749 thousand tons, supported by increased investment in research and development, such as BASF's new innovation center aimed at advancing sucrose-based chemical solutions.

A sharp expansion began in 2022, with the market volume jumping to 11 645 thousand tons and further rising to 12 974 thousand tons in 2023. This growth was propelled by the rise of e-commerce in chemical product distribution, which improved market access, alongside growing consumer and industrial demand for sustainable and biodegradable solutions that use sucrose as a raw material. Additionally, the adoption of new processing technologies, including in-situ chlorine dioxide for fermentation-related sanitation, broadened the industrial applications of sucrose.

Production sucrose in solid form in Brazil

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Brazil ranked third globally in the production volume of sucrose in solid form.

Top producers of sucrose in solid form, 2018-2021

World map of production of sucrose in solid form, 2018-2021

Brazil's production of sucrose in solid form increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, Brazil produced 11 007 K t, which is 1.7% higher than the previous year. The lowest production was recorded in 2019 at 10 140 K t, with the largest decline of 9.7% that year. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2020, reaching 6.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Brazil's production value of sucrose in solid form rose for the second year in a row. In 2021, the output was valued at 4 154 M $ US, marking a significant increase of 11.5% compared to the prior year. The lowest value was in 2019 at 3 699 M $ US, which saw the largest decline of 10.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Brazil in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports sucrose in solid form from Brazil

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend over the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 1 907 K t and peaked in 2020 at 3 961 K t, with a 2.1-fold difference between these years. In 2021, exports stood at 3 259 K t, representing a strong reduction of 17.7% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 38.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2020 at 107.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Brazil's exports of sucrose in solid form had a broad buyer portfolio. Benin accounted for 8.5% of exports in kind, Angola for 8.0%, and Ghana for 7.3%, together contributing 23.9% of total exports. Many other countries held smaller but notable shares, reflecting a diversified market.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports hit a low in 2019 at 696 M $ US and a high in 2020 at 1 363 M $ US, varying by a factor of 2. In 2021, exports totaled 1 230 M $ US, a decrease of 9.8% from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019 at 38.7%, while the largest increase was in 2020 at 96.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In the period from 2018 to 2021, the United States, Benin, and Angola were the largest buyers of sucrose in solid form from Brazil in value terms, with shares of 7.7%, 7.6%, and 7.1%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 22.4% of total exports, indicating a diversified country structure.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2021

Imports sucrose in solid form to Brazil

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, Brazil's imports of sucrose in solid form increased. In 2021, import volume stood at 1 K t, up 8.7% from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 46.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 18.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 1 K t, with the largest decline occurring in 2019 at 48.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, the United States, Guatemala, and Chile were the main sources of sucrose in solid form imports to Brazil, accounting for 48.8%, 20.0%, and 9.3% of imports in kind, respectively. Together, they represented 78.1% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Brazil in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Brazil's imports of sucrose in solid form from abroad rose. In 2021, import value registered 1 M $ US, a gain of 42.0% compared to the prior year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 27.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.0%. The minimum value was in 2020 at 1 M $ US, and the largest decline was in 2019 at 39.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, the United States, Germany, and Guatemala led the import structure in value terms for sucrose in solid form to Brazil, with shares of 42.6%, 11.9%, and 10.8%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 65.4% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Brazil in value, 2018-2021