Sucrose in solid form market in Egypt

Earlier Report Observations

The Egyptian sucrose market volume fluctuated significantly between 2018 and 2023. In 2018, the market reached 1.7 million tons, supported by substantial domestic production and imports. This period saw the entry of a major new player, as Emirati investors established the Canal Sugar Company, launching an integrated beet sugar project in Upper Egypt with plans for the world's largest sugar beet factory. However, the market volume halved to 936 thousand tons in 2019, coinciding with a fixed government pricing policy for industrial sugar that created a gap between production costs and consumer prices, potentially disincentivizing output. Production recovered in 2020 as the Canal Sugar plant began trial operations, but the overall market volume remained subdued due to a sharp drop in imports.

Market volume briefly recovered to 955 thousand tons in 2021, driven by the full commercial startup of the Canal Sugar factory, which added significant domestic production capacity. Subsequently, the market contracted to 650 thousand tons by 2023. This decline was influenced by the closure of the historic Abu Qurqas cane sugar plant in 2022 due to feedstock shortages, affecting supply from that segment. Furthermore, government interventions, including a six-month export ban in 2023 and repeated adjustments to state-set prices for industry and subsidized distribution, reshaped trade flows and domestic availability amid rising production costs.

Production sucrose in solid form in Egypt

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

Egypt's production of solid sucrose rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2019, output hit its lowest point at 903 thousand tons, but then surged by 26.8% in 2020 to reach 1,146 thousand tons. Over the full period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 27.6%, which translates to an average annual decline of 10.2%. The sharpest drop occurred in 2019, when production plummeted by 37.8%.

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

Exports sucrose in solid form from Egypt

Exports in kind, K t

Egypt's exports of solid sucrose recovered following a two-year downturn. In 2019, shipments bottomed out at 209.3 thousand tons, but then jumped by 40.3% in 2020 to 293.7 thousand tons. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 30.4%, averaging an 11.4% annual decline. The most significant contraction was in 2018, with a 37.6% drop.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Egypt's export destinations for solid sucrose were highly diversified. The top three markets—Yemen at 18.9%, Syria at 12.9%, and Kenya at 8.8%—collectively accounted for just 40.6% of total export volume. The remaining 59.4% was spread across numerous smaller countries, forming a long tail of trade partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Egypt's export value for solid sucrose turned upward after two years of decline. In 2019, exports reached their minimum at $85.5 million, but then soared by 52.0% in 2020 to $130.0 million. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 42.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -16.7%. The steepest decrease was in 2019, when exports dropped by 53.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt's export value for solid sucrose was distributed across many countries. Yemen, Syria, and Kenya were the leading destinations, with shares of 18.8%, 12.1%, and 8.8% respectively, but together they made up only 39.8% of total export value. The majority of exports flowed to a wide array of other markets.

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

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

Imports sucrose in solid form to Egypt

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes for solid sucrose in Egypt showed significant volatility during this period. In 2018, imports peaked at 527.8 thousand tons, but then fell sharply to a low of 62.9 thousand tons in 2020, marking a 74.0% year-over-year decline. The difference between the highest and lowest points was 8.4-fold. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a 49.5% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Belgium, and Poland dominated Egypt's imports of solid sucrose by volume. France led with 42.3%, followed by Belgium at 16.7% and Poland at 14.9%. Together, these three countries supplied 73.9% of total import volume, highlighting a concentrated sourcing pattern.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Egypt's import value for solid sucrose was marked by instability from 2017 to 2020. In 2018, imports reached their highest point at $281.8 million, but then plunged by 70.9% in 2020 to $33.3 million. The gap between the peak and trough was 8.5-fold. The biggest increase was in 2018, with a 27.5% gain.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, France, Belgium, and Poland were the primary sources for Egypt's imports of solid sucrose by value. France accounted for 41.0%, Belgium for 17.1%, and Poland for 13.8%, collectively making up 71.9% of total import value. This underscores their key role in Egypt's supply chain.

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

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