Sucrose in solid form market in Saudi Arabia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, Saudi Arabia's production of chemically pure sucrose in solid form increased from 920 thousand tons to 1 586 thousand tons. This expansion was driven by major capacity investments, including the establishment of Durrat Al-Tanmiya Al-Mutaqaddima in 2018, the ongoing development of the Al-Reef Sugar Refinery in Jazan, and the 2023 contract to build the largest sugar refinery in the region with a daily capacity of 3 thousand tons. Government support through the Saudi Industrial Development Fund, offering loans covering 75% of project costs, alongside the entry of new players, fueled this growth in domestic output.

Domestic market volume fluctuated during the period, starting at 980 thousand tons in 2018, falling to 798 thousand tons in 2019, then recovering to 1 044 thousand tons in 2020. It declined again to 972 thousand tons in 2021 and 870 thousand tons in 2022, before rising to 958 thousand tons in 2023. This volatility coincided with public health policies such as the 2020 National Diabetes Strategy, which introduced advertising restrictions for sugary products, and the 2021 implementation of an excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages aimed at reducing consumption.

Production sucrose in solid form in Saudi Arabia

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

Saudi Arabia's production of sucrose in solid form has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 1 179 thousand tonnes, marking a 25.8% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 49.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 14.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Saudi Arabia's production of sucrose in solid form rebounded in value terms. In 2020, output was valued at 604.3 million US dollars, a sharp 62.8% rise compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 42.9%, averaging 12.6% growth per year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 371.2 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 7.6%.

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

Exports sucrose in solid form from Saudi Arabia

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Saudi Arabia's exports of sucrose in solid form in volume terms declined in 2020. Export volume reached 318.7 thousand tonnes, down 2.6% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 46.6%, with an annualized growth rate of 13.6%. The peak volume was recorded in 2019 at 327.2 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 39.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sudan, Jordan, and Bahrain were the top destinations for Saudi Arabia's sucrose in solid form exports by volume. Sudan accounted for 25.6% of exports, Jordan for 16.1%, and Bahrain for 13.1%, together making up 54.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Saudi Arabia's exports of sucrose in solid form in value terms have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 163.4 million US dollars, a steep 26.0% rise from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 40.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 99.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 14.3%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 29.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Sudan, Jordan, and Bahrain were the largest buyers of Saudi Arabia's sucrose in solid form by value. Sudan represented 24.5% of exports, Jordan 15.2%, and Bahrain 13.2%, collectively accounting for 52.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports sucrose in solid form to Saudi Arabia

Imports in kind, K t

Saudi Arabia's imports of sucrose in solid form in volume terms have fallen for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 183.9 thousand tonnes, a slight 2.4% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports dropped by 67.2%, with an average annual decline of 31.0%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the United Arab Emirates, India, and Brazil were the main sources of sucrose in solid form imports to Saudi Arabia by volume, together representing 62.6% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Saudi Arabia's imports of sucrose in solid form in value terms have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 85.4 million US dollars, reflecting a 4.3% year-over-year drop. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 72.6%, equating to an average annual decline of 35.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates, India, and Brazil led as the top suppliers of sucrose in solid form to Saudi Arabia by value. The UAE accounted for 25.4% of imports, India for 19.8%, and Brazil for 15.5%, with their combined share reaching 60.6% of total import value.

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

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