Sucrose in solid form market in Côte d'Ivoire

Earlier Report Observations

After reaching 270 thousand tons in 2018, the sucrose market in Côte d'Ivoire contracted to 256 thousand tons in 2019 and further to 236 thousand tons in 2020. This decline was partly driven by climatic risks that affected sugarcane yields and reduced domestic production. The government's extension of an import ban from January 2020 aimed to protect local producers but coincided with these supply constraints.

The market rebounded to 265 thousand tons in 2021, fueled by a joint investment commitment of 151 billion CFA francs from the leading producers SUCAF and SUCRIVOIRE to expand production capacity. Strengthened border controls helped stabilize supply by curbing illegal resale of imported sugar. Growth continued, with the market reaching 296 thousand tons in 2022 and 301 thousand tons in 2023, supported by the introduction of a price ceiling in mid-2022 to prevent speculation and regular sugar campaigns that ensured steady replenishment.

By 2023, the industry saw further diversification with SUCAF-CI launching a $30 million distillery to produce extra-neutral alcohol from molasses, adding value to by-products. Ongoing investments in plantations, factories, and research aimed to boost raw cane and sugar output, enhancing the sector's competitiveness amid sustained local demand.

Production sucrose in solid form in Côte d'Ivoire

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

Côte d'Ivoire's production of sucrose in solid form declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 199.6 K t, marking a significant year-over-year decrease of 13.2%. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually increased by 26.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 8.2%. The peak production was recorded in 2018 at 250.8 K t, with the largest annual increase also occurring that year at 59.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports sucrose in solid form from Côte d'Ivoire

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2018, with a substantial 51-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Côte d'Ivoire exported 238 t of sucrose in solid form, representing a sharp year-over-year decline of 96.2%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 12 224 t, with the largest annual increase also in 2018 at 183.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Burkina Faso dominated Côte d'Ivoire's exports of sucrose in solid form, consistently accounting for 96.3% of total shipments.

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

World map of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular fluctuations, indicating a volatile market environment. Import levels varied significantly, with a 27-fold difference between the high in 2018 and the low in 2020. In 2020, Côte d'Ivoire exported 450 K $ US of sucrose in solid form, which was a sharp 92.7% decrease compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 12 117 K $ US, with the largest annual increase also in 2018 at 179.4%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Burkina Faso remained the nearly exclusive buyer of sucrose in solid form from Côte d'Ivoire in value terms, holding a 92.4% share of total exports.

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

World map of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020

Imports sucrose in solid form to Côte d'Ivoire

Imports in kind, t

Côte d'Ivoire's imports of sucrose in solid form increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported approximately 36 079 t, showing a significant year-over-year gain of 11.0%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 26.4%, equating to an annualized decline of 9.7%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 31 010 t, with the largest annual decline also in 2018 at 36.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil (with 39.1% of imports in kind), Guatemala (32.6%), and Mexico (11.1%) led the import structure, together representing 82.8% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year reduction, Côte d'Ivoire's imports of sucrose in solid form increased in value. In 2020, the country imported a total of value_last_year K $ US, which is 27.7% higher than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 30.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -11.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 13 105 K $ US, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 45.0%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Brazil (38.0% of imports in value terms), Guatemala (35.8%), and Mexico (10.0%) formed the core group of markets for imports, together accounting for 83.8% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020