Sucrose in solid form market in China

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the sucrose market in China expanded steadily, with volume rising from 12.2 million tons to 15.3 million tons. This growth was supported by the industry's response to supply chain challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, as producers upgraded technology and adjusted capacity. In 2021, the sugar sector accelerated environmental and smart manufacturing upgrades, adopting automation and green production methods that boosted efficiency. Policy support for a low-carbon economy further extended the sucrose value chain. Throughout this period, rising health awareness fueled demand for low-calorie sugar alternatives like erythritol, yet the overall sweetener market continued to grow.

The market turned in 2023, with sucrose volume falling to 13.1 million tons. This decline coincided with the implementation of stricter food additive standards (GB 2760) in 2022, which reshaped sweetener usage norms. More directly, sugar reduction policies and the expansion of alternative sweetener production—led by companies such as Shandong Sanyuan Biotechnology and Jinhe Industrial—diverted demand away from sucrose. The increased availability of substitutes like erythritol and sucralose, driven by consumer health trends and government initiatives, reduced sucrose consumption.

Production sucrose in solid form in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, China maintained the second-highest global position in sucrose production in solid form.

Top producers of sucrose in solid form, 2017-2020

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

China's production of sucrose in solid form grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output reached 13 066 K t, a 2.6% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 25.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of decline, China's sucrose production in solid form rebounded. In 2020, the output was valued at 6 428 M $ US, showing a moderate year-over-year gain of 9.2%. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 3.3%, translating to an annualized rate of 1.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 5 884 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 3.2%.

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

Exports sucrose in solid form from China

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, China's exports of sucrose in solid form declined. In 2020, exports totaled 134.0 K t, a sharp reduction of 26.3% from the previous year. The peak was in 2019 at 181.7 K t, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 36.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, North Korea (48.8% of exports in kind), Mongolia (21.0%), and Hong Kong (14.2%) formed the core of China's sucrose exports in kind, collectively accounting for 84.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

China's exports of sucrose in solid form declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 65.9 M $ US, down 21.5% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 17%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 93.0 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 17.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, North Korea (41.9% of exports in value terms), Mongolia (17.9%), and Hong Kong (14.9%) consistently served as the main destinations for China's sucrose exports in value terms, together making up 74.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports sucrose in solid form to China

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, China's imports of sucrose in solid form amounted to 607.8 K t, a 28.8% increase from the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 29.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.1%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 11.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea (35.6% of imports in kind), Thailand (34.1%), and the United Arab Emirates (8.8%) were the primary suppliers of sucrose in solid form to China, jointly accounting for 78.6% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, China's imports of sucrose in solid form increased. In 2020, imports reached 264.1 M $ US, marking a sharp rise of 38.4% over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 7.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.4%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 190.8 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 19.8%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, South Korea (37.6% of imports in value terms), Thailand (33.0%), and the United Arab Emirates (8.5%) formed the core of China's sucrose imports in value terms, together taking 79.1% of total flows.

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

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