Sucrose in solid form market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

The market for chemically pure sucrose in solid form in the CIS grew to over 8 million tons in 2019, primarily due to the active introduction of new sugar beet varieties and modern processing technologies that increased sugar yield. This expansion was supported by major industry players investing in efficiency. However, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted logistics and demand, leading to a market contraction to 7.2 million tons.

Subsequent market movements were heavily influenced by trade dynamics. In 2021, increased exports to EAEU countries, facilitated by expanded market access, diverted supply abroad and contributed to a further slight market decline. The geopolitical shifts in 2022 then caused a sharp reduction in exports, which—alongside ongoing production modernization—enabled a domestic market recovery to 7.6 million tons.

By 2023, the market stabilized around 7.5 million tons. The introduction of excise taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages from July 2023 began to affect related sugar demand, while a significant increase in operational sugar plants bolstered processing capacity. Throughout the period, state measures, including commodity interventions and export regulations, were employed to manage supply and stabilize prices.

Production sucrose in solid form in CIS

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

In 2020, CIS countries produced 7 389 thousand tons of solid sucrose, marking a 3.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 5.4%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 1.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 6 800 thousand tons. That same year saw the most significant drop in production, with a decline of 12.9%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase, with production rising by 12.0%.

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

Exports sucrose in solid form from CIS

Exports in kind, K t

The export market for solid sucrose from CIS countries displayed notable volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their highest point in 2018 at 803 thousand tons, while the lowest level was recorded in 2019 at 204 thousand tons, creating a 3.9-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, exports amounted to 391 thousand tons, representing a substantial increase of 92.1% compared to 2019. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 74.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Ukraine, Turkmenistan, and Georgia were among the largest buyers of solid sucrose from CIS countries, accounting for 6.7%, 5.3%, and 2.0% of exports in kind, respectively. However, even combined, these three countries represented only 14.0% of total exports, indicating a broadly diversified partner base with many other countries contributing smaller shares.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, CIS exports of solid sucrose in value terms rebounded in 2020. Exports reached 589.8 million US dollars that year, up 47.8% compared to 2019. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 9.1%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 3.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 398.9 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 20.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the buyer portfolio for solid sucrose exports from CIS countries in value terms was quite broad. Ukraine, Turkmenistan, and Georgia accounted for 6.6%, 6.1%, and 1.8% of exports, respectively. Together, these three countries contributed only 14.5% of total export value, while numerous other countries held smaller but still meaningful shares.

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

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

Imports sucrose in solid form to CIS

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes for solid sucrose in CIS countries showed considerable volatility during these years. Imports peaked in 2018 at 1 280 thousand tons and reached their lowest point in 2020 at 181 thousand tons, resulting in a 7.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports amounted to 181 thousand tons, representing a dramatic decrease of 73.8% compared to the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with imports surging by 116.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the partner structure for solid sucrose imports in kind was balanced rather than concentrated. Ukraine, Pakistan, and Poland accounted for 12.4%, 6.5%, and 3.9% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 22.8% of total import flows, while the remaining 77.2% was distributed among many other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, CIS countries imported solid sucrose worth 458.0 million US dollars, representing a 16.7% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 7.4%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 2.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 458.0 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 699.8 million US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 34.6%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 with growth of 40.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine, Pakistan, and Poland remained the principal suppliers of solid sucrose to CIS countries in value terms, accounting for 12.9%, 6.0%, and 3.9% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 22.8% of total import value.

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

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