Sucrose in solid form market in GCC

Earlier Report Observations

The sucrose in solid form market in the GCC experienced significant volatility between 2018 and 2023. Market volume dropped from 1,980 K t in 2018 to a low of 1,169 K t in 2021, marking a 41% contraction over three years. This downward trend reversed in 2022 and 2023, with the market recovering to 1,573 K t, a 35% increase from the 2021 level.

This movement was primarily driven by shifts in foreign trade. A sharp rise in exports to 1,724 K t in 2020 significantly reduced domestic market volume, despite an increase in production that year. Imports consistently declined from 765 K t in 2018 to 464 K t in 2023, further limiting available supply. Domestic production also fluctuated, falling in 2019 before recovering to 2,287 K t by 2023.

In 2024, exports remained high at 1,642 K t while imports saw a slight increase to 506 K t. That year, an executive regulation for the GCC pesticide law came into effect, introducing strict packaging requirements for agricultural chemicals, which influences sucrose production. Furthermore, the GCC agricultural sector grew by 5.1% in 2024, boosting raw material supply for the sugar industry, and significant capacity additions for polypropylene and polyethylene in Saudi Arabia strengthened the packaging sector relevant for sugar.

Production sucrose in solid form in GCC

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

Following a two-year decline, GCC's production of sucrose in solid form rebounded. In 2020, GCC produced 2 178 K t of sucrose in solid form, marking a sharp increase of 32.9% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 24.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -9.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 639 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 27.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After a two-year decrease, GCC's production value of sucrose in solid form recovered. In 2020, the output was valued at 946 M $ US, representing a strong increase of 20.5% over 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 38.4%, with a CAGR of -14.9%. The minimum value occurred in 2019 at 785 M $ US, while the largest decline was in 2018 at 33.1%.

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

Exports sucrose in solid form from GCC

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export volumes varied significantly, with a threefold difference between the low in 2019 and the high in 2020. In 2020, GCC exported 1 724 K t of sucrose in solid form, a sharp uptick of 199.0% compared to 2019. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 577 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 44.2%.

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

The partner structure of exports in kind from 2017 to 2020 remained fragmented. Sudan accounted for 31.5% of exports in kind, Pakistan for 4.7%, and Jordan for 4.5%, together making up only 40.6% of total flows. No single country held a dominant share during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Export values varied 3.2 times between the low in 2019 and the high in 2017. In 2020, GCC exported 748.6 M $ US of sucrose in solid form, up by 171.1% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 276.1 M $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 47.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sudan was the largest buyer with 30.8% of exports in value terms, followed by Iran at 4.7% and Pakistan at 4.6%. Together, these three countries accounted for 40.1% of total exports in value terms, but no single partner dominated against a backdrop of numerous smaller buyers.

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

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

Imports sucrose in solid form to GCC

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decrease, GCC's imports of sucrose in solid form increased. In 2020, GCC imported approximately 731 K t, up by 21.9% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 15.1%, equating to an annualized rate of -5.3%. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 600 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 21.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of imports in kind was highly diversified. India accounted for 29.2% of imports in kind, Brazil for 8.2%, and Germany for 4.2%, together making up only 41.6% of total flows. The remaining 58.4% came from a long tail of smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decrease, GCC's import volumes of sucrose in solid form rose. In 2020, imports totalled 347.2 M $ US, a significant increase of 11.2% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 45.4%, with an annualized rate of -18.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 312.3 M $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 34.3%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, the country breakdown of imports in value terms remained scattered. India accounted for 25.8% of imports in value terms, Brazil for 7.1%, and Germany for 4.0%, together comprising just 36.9% of total flows. No single partner emerged as clearly dominant.

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

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