Sucrose in solid form market in Iran

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, Iran's sucrose in solid form production stood at 1 663 тыс. т with a market volume of 1 583 тыс. т, a period marked by reduced sugar beet cultivation acreage which constrained the raw material base for domestic sugar output. The following year, production surged to 2 247 тыс. т and the market volume reached 2 246 тыс. т. This growth occurred alongside significant market restructuring, including the entry of state-owned and quasi-state entities with privileged access, as well as changes to government distribution and pricing policies for sugar.

A downturn began in 2020 as production fell to 2 044 тыс. т and the market volume to 2 015 тыс. т. This decline was primarily driven by increased production costs due to rising prices for inputs and energy. Further pressure came from difficulties in importing raw materials, exacerbated by currency restrictions and international sanctions. The contraction continued into 2021, with production at 1 940 тыс. т and market volume at 1 923 тыс. т, amid an official increase in the sugar price and reported growth in exports and smuggling of sugar-based products, which tightened domestic supply.

The market rebounded in 2022, with production climbing to 2 332 тыс. т and consumption to 2 289 тыс. т. This recovery was stimulated by global factors, including rising energy prices and worldwide sugar supply constraints, which incentivized domestic production. Industry stockpiling in anticipation of future shortages also supported output. However, in 2023, production dropped sharply to 1 899 тыс. т and the market volume to 1 910 тыс. т. This was largely due to a loss of self-sufficiency caused by floods and other natural disasters, which damaged crops and increased reliance on imports.

Production sucrose in solid form in Iran

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Iran ranked 15th globally in the production of solid sucrose.

Top producers of sucrose in solid form, 2017-2020

World map of production of sucrose in solid form, 2017-2020

In 2020, Iran produced 2 044 thousand tonnes of solid sucrose, marking a 9.1% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 14.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 663 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 30.5%, while the biggest increase was in 2019, rising by 35.2%.

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

Exports sucrose in solid form from Iran

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. From 2018 to 2019, exports fluctuated dramatically, with a 68-fold difference between the peak and trough. In 2020, Iran's exports of solid sucrose totaled 28 581 tonnes, which is 2 312.1% higher than in 2019. The lowest value was in 2019 at 1 185 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 80 159 tonnes. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, falling by 98.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Iran's solid sucrose exports in volume terms were Iraq, with a 38.2% share, Turkmenistan at 28.5%, and Afghanistan at 22.5%. Together, these three countries accounted for 89.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. From 2018 to 2019, there was a 37-fold difference between the highest and lowest points. In 2020, Iran's solid sucrose exports reached 13 231 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp increase of 957.4% compared to the previous year. The lowest value was in 2019 at 1 251 thousand US dollars, while the peak was in 2018 at 46 666 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 97.3%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, the primary markets for Iran's solid sucrose exports in value terms were Iraq, with a 36.8% share, Turkmenistan at 30.2%, and Afghanistan at 19.1%. This cluster of countries represented 86.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sucrose in solid form to Iran

Imports in kind, t

In 2018, Iran imported 180 tonnes of solid sucrose, which was 81.0% lower than the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, nearly all of Iran's solid sucrose imports in volume terms came from the United Arab Emirates, which accounted for 97.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2018, Iran's solid sucrose imports were valued at 67 thousand US dollars, indicating a steep decline of 83.1% from 2017.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Iran's solid sucrose imports were largely directed towards the United Arab Emirates, which held a 97.9% share of total imports in value terms.

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

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