Sucrose in solid form market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, Russian sucrose production expanded from 5.5 million tonnes to 6.2 million tonnes, driven by investment in modernized facilities and the adoption of biotechnology and chemical reagents to enhance efficiency. Despite this output growth, the domestic market volume remained relatively stable at around 5.4–5.5 million tonnes, as higher exports offset the rise in production. Geopolitical risks, Western sanctions, and the COVID-19 pandemic introduced volatility but did not prevent the industry from lifting its manufacturing capacity.

The following two years saw production retreat to 5.4 million tonnes by 2022. Escalating sanctions and persistent geopolitical tensions curtailed trade flows, while global supply-chain disruptions and world sugar price movements added further pressure. Consequently, the available market volume dipped slightly, settling near 5.3 million tonnes in 2021 before a modest recovery to 5.4 million tonnes in 2022.

A turnaround occurred in 2023, with production climbing back to 6.0 million tonnes. This rebound was supported by a marked increase in the number of active sugar plants—reaching 40 by early 2024—and a higher rate of sugar-beet processing. Exports jumped more than threefold year-on-year, helping to absorb the additional output. On the consumption side, new product segments featuring sugar substitutes gained traction, reflecting a shift toward healthier options. The domestic market volume rose to 5.5 million tonnes, returning to the levels seen before the downturn.

Production sucrose in solid form in Russia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Russia ranked as the 7th largest producer of solid sucrose from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of sucrose in solid form, 2017-2020

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

Russia's solid sucrose production grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 6 217 thousand tonnes, marking a modest 4.8% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 4.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.5%. The lowest output was in 2018 at 5 479 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 7.8%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the biggest increase at 8.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of decline, Russia's solid sucrose production value rebounded. In 2020, the output was valued at 2 380 million US dollars, up 1.3% from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 span, production value fell by 18.5%, with an average annual decrease of 6.6%. The lowest value occurred in 2019 at 2 349 million US dollars, while 2018 saw the steepest drop of 11.6%.

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

Exports sucrose in solid form from Russia

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 370 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2020 at 1 028 thousand tonnes, representing a 2.8-fold difference. In 2020, Russia exported 1 028 thousand tonnes of solid sucrose, a sharp 60.0% increase from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2018 at 32.2%, and the biggest rise was in 2019 at 73.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan were the key partners for Russia's solid sucrose exports in volume terms. Kazakhstan accounted for 27.4% of exports, Uzbekistan for 22.2%, and Azerbaijan for 12.5%, together making up 62.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Russia's solid sucrose export value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 393.6 million US dollars, up 54.6% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 46.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 13.6%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 174.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 35.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan remained the primary buyers of Russian solid sucrose in value terms. Kazakhstan represented 30.0% of exports, Uzbekistan 21.8%, and Azerbaijan 11.5%, collectively forming 63.3% of total export value.

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

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

Imports sucrose in solid form to Russia

Imports in kind, K t

Russia's solid sucrose imports declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 240 thousand tonnes, down 26.7% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 31.6%, with an average annual decline of 11.9%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 318 thousand tonnes, which also recorded the largest increase of 26.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belarus was the dominant source for Russia's solid sucrose imports in volume terms, holding an 85.9% share of total flows. The remaining imports were spread across various other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Russia's solid sucrose import value fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 66.3 million US dollars, a 30.1% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 span, import value dropped by 45.4%, with an average annual decline of 18.3%. The peak value was in 2018 at 137.6 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 13.4%, while 2019 experienced the steepest fall of 31.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belarus accounted for 83.9% of Russia's solid sucrose import value, with the rest distributed among a wide range of smaller countries.

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

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