Sucrose in solid form market in Morocco

Earlier Report Observations

Moroccan sucrose production increased from 1 572 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 928 thousand tons in 2023, driven primarily by substantial public and private investments in the sugar sector. These investments, totaling 4.85 billion dirhams with 750 million in public funds, financed agricultural modernization and led to improved sugarcane yields, reaching 12 tons per hectare in 2018 compared to 8.3 tons in 2008. Program contracts between the Ministry of Agriculture and Fimasucre for 2013-2020 further supported local production and reduced import dependence. Continuous yield improvements, achieving 11.4 t/ha for sugar beet and 8.8 t/ha for sugarcane by 2020, enabled the sector to cover about 50% of domestic sugar needs. Cosumar, as the sole major market operator, played a key role in aggregation and transparency, contributing to steady production growth.

The domestic market volume for sucrose fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, declining from 1 204 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 097 thousand tons in 2021 before recovering to 1 336 thousand tons in 2023. Price stability, supported by state regulation including sales price ceilings, influenced consumer market dynamics. For instance, in 2024, the price for solid sugar was set at 5.1484 dirhams per kilogram, with purity requirements of at least 99.5% for granulated sugar in 50 kg bags. These measures, along with ongoing sector modernization, affected sugar availability and consumption in Morocco.

Production sucrose in solid form in Morocco

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Morocco maintained the 21st position globally in terms of sucrose production in solid form.

Top producers of sucrose in solid form, 2017-2020

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

Morocco's production of sucrose in solid form increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 809 K t, marking a gradual gain of 8.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 9.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 572 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 4.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Morocco's sucrose in solid form production increased in value. In 2020, output was valued at 797.9 M $ US, reflecting a significant rise of 22.0% from 2019. However, between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 7.8%, equating to an annualized decline of 2.7%. The minimum value occurred in 2019 at 654.2 M $ US, while the largest drop was in 2018 at 23.2%.

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

Exports sucrose in solid form from Morocco

Exports in kind, K t

Morocco's exports of sucrose in solid form grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 648.2 K t, up 26.4% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 54.6%, with an annualized growth rate of 15.6%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 375.6 K t, which also experienced the largest decline of 10.4%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 36.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Morocco's export partners for sucrose in solid form were quite diverse. Turkey accounted for 28.1% of exports in kind, Syria for 8.0%, and Libya for 7.6%, together representing 43.7% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Morocco's export value of sucrose in solid form rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 285.9 M $ US, showing a sharp increase of 42.1% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 30.4%, with an annualized rate of 9.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 158.7 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 27.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Morocco's export destinations in value terms remained scattered. Turkey held 27.0% of exports in value terms, Syria 7.8%, and Libya 7.5%, together accounting for 42.3% of total flows, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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

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

Imports sucrose in solid form to Morocco

Imports in kind, K t

The import market showed an unstable trend during this period. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with a 3.7-fold difference between the high in 2018 and the low in 2017. In 2020, imports of sucrose in solid form reached 3.4 K t, marking an abrupt decrease of 37.0% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 7.5 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 274.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Algeria, and Australia were the main sources for Morocco's imports of sucrose in solid form in kind. France accounted for 27.1% of imports, Algeria for 24.9%, and Australia for 15.4%, jointly representing 67.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The import market exhibited volatility throughout the timeframe. The highest import value was in 2018, while the lowest was in 2017, with a 2.3-fold gap between them. In 2020, imports of sucrose in solid form reached 2.1 M $ US, showing a robust drop of 23.6% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 3.9 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 31.6%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 125.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Australia, and Algeria remained the leading destinations in Morocco's import structure in value terms. France accounted for 32.4% of imports in value terms, Australia for 17.6%, and Algeria for 16.9%, together making up 67.0% of total flows.

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

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