Sucrose in solid form market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the implementation of the single Free Trade Agreement between Mexico and Central America established tariff-free quotas for exporting sucrose to Mexico. This regulatory framework encouraged export growth, with shipments rising from 1.5 million tons to 1.8 million tons. Coupled with a decline in domestic production from 8.9 million tons to 8.3 million tons, the local market volume contracted from 7.5 million tons to 6.6 million tons over the three-year period.

After 2020, export volumes fell steadily, dropping to 1.2 million tons by 2023, while production continued a gradual decline to 8.0 million tons. The reduction in exports, alongside a notable rise in imports beginning in 2023, supported a recovery in the domestic market size, which expanded to 7.1 million tons by 2023.

In 2024, under the continuing trade agreement, import volumes surged to over 500 thousand tons, while exports remained at approximately 1.1 million tons, indicating a shift in regional trade flows for sucrose in solid form.

Production sucrose in solid form in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sucrose in solid form, 2017-2020

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

Central America's production of solid sucrose declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 8 256 thousand tonnes, marking a 1.3% decrease compared to the previous year. The largest drop occurred in 2019, when production fell by 6.5%. However, the highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 8 944 thousand tonnes, which represented a significant 9.2% increase from the year before.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of decline, the value of solid sucrose production in Central America rebounded in 2020. Output was valued at 3 323 million US dollars, showing a moderate 4.1% year-over-year increase. The lowest value during the 2017-2020 period was recorded in 2019 at 3 192 million US dollars, when production dropped by 13.3%. Overall, production value decreased by 18.9% over the four-year span, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.7%.

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

Exports sucrose in solid form from Central America

Exports in kind, K t

Central America's solid sucrose exports grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 1 807 thousand tonnes, up 3.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports surged by 119.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 30.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Chile, and Côte d'Ivoire were the core destinations for Central America's solid sucrose exports in volume terms. Together, they accounted for 59.5% of total exports, with the United States leading at 42.0%, followed by Chile at 11.6%, and Côte d'Ivoire at 5.9%.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of solid sucrose exports from Central America increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, export value reached 727.2 million US dollars, a 9.2% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 76.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 20.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Central America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, the United States, Chile, and Côte d'Ivoire remained the key markets for Central America's solid sucrose exports in value terms. Collectively, they represented 62.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sucrose in solid form to Central America

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Central America imported 116 thousand tonnes of solid sucrose, a 43.1% increase from 2019. The lowest import volume during the 2017-2020 period was in 2019 at 81 thousand tonnes, when imports fell by 23.8%. Overall, imports grew by 24.2% over the four years, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Brazil, and Canada were the primary sources for Central America's solid sucrose imports in volume terms. Together, they accounted for 81.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, the value of solid sucrose imports into Central America rose in 2020. Imports totaled 59.4 million US dollars, a dramatic 48.9% increase compared to 2019. The lowest value in the 2017-2020 period was recorded in 2019 at 39.9 million US dollars, when imports dropped by 31.7%. Over the four-year span, import value decreased by 2.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -0.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Central America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States, Brazil, and Canada were the main sources for Central America's solid sucrose imports in value terms. The United States accounted for 49.1% of imports, Brazil for 22.8%, and Canada for 9.4%, together making up 81.3% of total import flows.

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

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