Sucrose in solid form market in Eastern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The sucrose market in Eastern Africa showed significant volume fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Market size began at 4.6 million tons in 2018, declined to 4.1 million tons in 2019, and then entered a period of expansion, peaking at 5.5 million tons in 2022. This growth phase was interrupted in 2023, when the market contracted sharply back to 4.6 million tons.

Underlying these movements were shifts in domestic production and international trade. Local output increased notably from 2020 onward, reaching a high of 4.5 million tons in 2022, which helped drive overall market growth. Concurrently, imports generally trended downward until 2022, while exports saw variability, with a significant spike in 2021 affecting net availability.

Production sucrose in solid form in Eastern Africa

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

Eastern Africa's production of solid sucrose rebounded after two years of decline. In 2020, the region produced 3,824 thousand tons of solid sucrose, representing a significant 32.3% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually decreased by 3.2%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 2,891 thousand tons. The most substantial drop occurred in 2018, when production fell by 20.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Eastern Africa's production value of solid sucrose recovered following a two-year downturn. In 2020, the output was valued at 1,816 million US dollars, marking a substantial 38.0% year-over-year increase. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, however, the production value declined by 18.3%, averaging an annual decrease of 6.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1,317 million US dollars. The most significant decline took place in 2018, with a drop of 29.6%.

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

Exports sucrose in solid form from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Eastern Africa exported 368 thousand tons of solid sucrose in 2020, representing a sharp decline of 19.1% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 23.8%, which corresponds to an average annual reduction of 8.7%. The only increase during this period occurred in 2019, with exports rising by 2.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Eastern Africa's exports of solid sucrose were distributed across numerous countries. The top three destinations—Democratic Republic of the Congo (15.7% of exports), Spain (14.9%), and Italy (11.8%)—collectively accounted for just 42.5% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Eastern Africa's exports of solid sucrose declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value amounted to 174.6 million US dollars, reflecting a 15.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 35.7%, averaging an annual decline of 13.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Eastern Africa's export partners for solid sucrose were quite diverse in value terms. The three leading destinations—Democratic Republic of the Congo (16.7% of export value), Spain (12.4%), and Italy (11.3%)—together represented only 40.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sucrose in solid form to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Eastern Africa's imports of solid sucrose declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, import volume reached 1,516 thousand tons, showing a modest decrease of 7.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports actually increased by 5.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.9%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1,857 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 12.0%, while the most significant increase took place in 2018, rising by 29.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key suppliers—India, Brazil, and Thailand—collectively accounted for 59.3% of Eastern Africa's total imports of solid sucrose by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Eastern Africa's imports of solid sucrose decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import value stood at 660.7 million US dollars, down 8.4% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports declined by 9.7%, averaging an annual reduction of 3.3%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 839.1 million US dollars. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019, falling by 14.0%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 14.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India (33.5% of import value), Brazil (12.5%), and Thailand (8.6%) were the primary suppliers of solid sucrose to Eastern Africa, together constituting 54.6% of total import value.

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

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