Sucrose in solid form market in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Earlier Report Observations

Sucrose production in the Democratic Republic of the Congo showed steady growth from 156 K t in 2018 to 277 K t in 2023, driving market volume expansion from 169 K t to 281 K t over the same period. A key turning point came in 2020 when the government's decision to compensate provinces for the removal of agricultural product taxes reduced costs for sugar producers, contributing to a 43% surge in output. Further growth in 2023 was supported by calls to maximize revenue in the sugar sector of Kwilu province, stimulating local investment.

Sucrose imports, which peaked at 31 K t in 2020, fell sharply to under 5 K t in 2022-2023 as increased domestic production displaced foreign supplies. However, imports rebounded to 55 K t in 2024 amid rising retail prices due to multiple taxes and depreciation of the Congolese franc, affecting product affordability.

The market also saw the emergence of new players, such as the Forest group, which announced plans in 2024 to launch refined sugar and ethanol production in Haut-Katanga. Simultaneously, earlier appeals for farmers to develop sugarcane cultivation in 2021 and the commissioning of an ONAPAC laboratory to improve export quality reflect efforts to strengthen the value chain.

Production sucrose in solid form in Democratic Republic of the Congo

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

The Democratic Republic of the Congo saw its production of solid sucrose increase for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 229.0 K t of solid sucrose, marking a significant 42.6% rise compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 30.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 9.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 156.0 K t, with the largest decline occurring that same year at 11.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports sucrose in solid form from Democratic Republic of the Congo

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed considerable volatility throughout the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 4 t and peaked in 2018 at 47 t, showing an 11.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports of solid sucrose from the Democratic Republic of the Congo amounted to 18 t, representing a substantial 330.3% increase from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 91.3%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 800.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, solid sucrose exports from the Democratic Republic of the Congo were almost entirely directed to Uganda, which accounted for 99.4% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 2 K $ US and peaked in 2018 at 18 K $ US, with a 9.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo exported 6 K $ US worth of solid sucrose, which was 209.6% higher than the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 89.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 231.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export structure in value terms was heavily concentrated, with Uganda dominating the market and accounting for 93.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports sucrose in solid form to Democratic Republic of the Congo

Imports in kind, t

The volume of solid sucrose imports into the Democratic Republic of the Congo increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 31 298 t of solid sucrose, indicating a sharp 34.5% year-on-year rise. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports surged by 268.9%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of 54.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for solid sucrose imports in kind were Brazil (21.2% of imports), Guatemala (19.2% of imports), and South Africa (9.6% of imports). Together, these three countries accounted for 50.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Imports of solid sucrose into the Democratic Republic of the Congo rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 10 715 K $ US, up by 30.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 89.1%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 23.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 5 583 K $ US, with the largest decline that year at 1.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 47.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the largest suppliers of solid sucrose to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in value terms were South Africa (15.3% of imports), Brazil (14.1% of imports), and Saudi Arabia (13.7% of imports). However, their combined share was limited to 43.1% of total imports, reflecting a diversified structure of suppliers.

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

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