Sucrose in solid form market in Colombia

Earlier Report Observations

The Colombian market for chemically pure sucrose in solid form stood at 1.4 million tonnes in 2018, the year the country adopted the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for chemical classification and labeling through Decree 1496. This new framework set harmonized standards for the handling of pure substances. Market volume then expanded to 1.6 million tonnes in 2019, supported by a rise in domestic production to 1.86 million tonnes and a significant increase in imports. A slight correction followed in 2020, bringing the market to 1.57 million tonnes.

Regulatory development continued with Resolution 773 of 2021, which specified GHS labeling and safety sheet requirements for pure chemicals, setting a compliance deadline for April 2023. The market volume remained relatively stable at 1.59 million tonnes in 2021. By 2023, the GHS transition period for pure substances had concluded. This period coincided with mounting pressure on the domestic sugar sector from the La Niña weather phenomenon, which increased sugarcane costs and created production challenges. These factors contributed to a contraction in the market, which fell to 1.29 million tonnes in 2023, as production declined to 1.66 million tonnes and imports dropped sharply.

Production sucrose in solid form in Colombia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Colombia ranked 18th globally in the production of sucrose in solid form.

Top producers of sucrose in solid form, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Colombia produced 1 783 K t of sucrose in solid form, marking a 4.0% decline compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 5.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -1.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 772 K t. That year also saw the largest decline of 5.9%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2019 with a 4.8% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Colombia's sucrose in solid form production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 821.3 M $ US, reflecting a slight rise of 3.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, however, production value decreased by 15.9%, equating to an annualized decline of 5.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 759.9 M $ US, which also experienced the largest drop of 22.2%. In contrast, 2019 saw the biggest increase of 4.9%.

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

Exports sucrose in solid form from Colombia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Colombia exported 483.5 K t of sucrose in solid form, representing a 5.0% decrease compared to 2019. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 477.8 K t, while the highest was in 2019 at 509.1 K t. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 6.6% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Peru (28.7% of exports in kind), Chile (23.5% of exports in kind), and the United States (14.6% of exports in kind) were the principal buyers of sucrose in solid form from Colombia, jointly accounting for 66.9% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Sucrose in solid form exports from Colombia increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 222.7 M $ US, up by 2.0% relative to the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, exports decreased by 12%, with a CAGR of -4.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 204.8 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 19.1%. The biggest increase occurred in 2019 with a 6.6% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Peru (25.5% of exports in value terms), Chile (19.6% of exports in value terms), and the United States (17.4% of exports in value terms) formed the main group of destinations for Colombia's sucrose in solid form exports, with a combined share of 62.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports sucrose in solid form to Colombia

Imports in kind, K t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 105.0 K t and peaked in 2020 at 272.4 K t, representing a 2.6-fold difference. In 2020, Colombia imported 272.4 K t of sucrose in solid form, which is 9.0% higher than the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 46.6%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2019 with a 138.2% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Peru (27.3% of imports in kind), Bolivia (27.1% of imports in kind), and Brazil (26.9% of imports in kind) were the leading suppliers of sucrose in solid form to Colombia, jointly accounting for 81.3% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Imports hit their lowest level in 2018 at 48.8 M $ US and reached their highest in 2020 at 117.5 M $ US, a 2.4-fold difference. In 2020, Colombia's imports of sucrose in solid form amounted to 117.5 M $ US, representing a 3.5% gain compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 54.2%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2019 with a 132.4% jump.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Peru (29.0% of imports in value terms), Bolivia (26.6% of imports in value terms), and Brazil (23.2% of imports in value terms) were the main markets for Colombia's sucrose in solid form imports, together accounting for 78.8% of total flows.

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

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