Sucrose in solid form market in Congo

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, Congo's production of chemically pure sucrose in solid form showed significant swings. Output dropped to 50,600 t in 2019, a year marked by the launch of rehabilitation works at the Sucrerie du Kivu (SUKI) under a public-private partnership. This major facility restart aimed to revive local sugar output after decades of inactivity. By January 2020, SUKI's entry into the market with an initial injection of 2,000 t of sugar contributed to the recovery, helping lift total national production to 62,083 t that year.

Production receded to 52,841 t in 2021 despite SUKI confirming its operational restart with a small batch. A sharp expansion followed in 2022, with output jumping to 74,522 t and market volume reaching 71,658 t. Growth continued into 2023, as production rose to 77,608 t and the market size to 77,637 t. During this phase, the sugar cane sector gained recognition as a vital local income source, and interest from Ukrainian investors in developing cane-based biofuel highlighted new diversification avenues for the industry.

Production sucrose in solid form in Congo

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sucrose in solid form, 2017-2020

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

In 2019, Congo's production of sucrose in solid form hit its lowest point at 50 600 t, marking a significant 23.2% decline from the previous year. Production then rebounded strongly in 2020, reaching 62 083 t—a robust 22.7% increase compared to 2019. The peak production level was recorded earlier in 2018 at 65 906 t.

Annual dynamics of production in Congo in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports sucrose in solid form from Congo

Exports in kind, t

Congo's exports of sucrose in solid form reached their highest level in 2019 at 5 449 t, representing a 22.1% increase from the previous year. However, exports then fell sharply in 2020 to 2 521 t—a steep 53.7% decline compared to 2019. Over the entire 2018-2020 period, exports decreased by 43.5%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 17.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Central African Republic and Gabon together accounted for 100.0% of Congo's sucrose in solid form exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of Congo's sucrose in solid form exports peaked in 2019 at 3 931 K $ US, showing a 22.3% increase from the previous year. This was followed by a significant drop in 2020 to 1 685 K $ US—a 57.1% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2018-2020 period, export values fell by 47.6%, with an annualized decline rate of 19.4%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Central African Republic and Gabon were the dominant markets for Congo's sucrose in solid form exports in value terms, together representing 100.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sucrose in solid form to Congo

Imports in kind, t

Congo's imports of sucrose in solid form showed considerable volatility during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 157 t, which was a 32.7% contraction compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 97.8% drop, while imports rebounded in 2019 with a 26.9% increase. From the peak in 2017 to the trough in 2020, imports changed by a factor of 53.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Brazil and Morocco were the primary sources for Congo's sucrose in solid form imports in volume terms, together accounting for 91.3% of total import flows. The remaining 8.7% was distributed among other markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Congo's imports of sucrose in solid form in value terms declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 169 K $ US—a dramatic 40.9% drop compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values decreased by 96.9%, which corresponds to an annualized decline rate of 68.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, Brazil and Morocco played the leading roles in Congo's sucrose in solid form imports in value terms, together representing 83.2% of total import flows. The remaining 16.8% was distributed among other destinations.

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

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