Sucrose in solid form market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The South African sucrose market began the period with the 2018 introduction of the Recoverable Value Cane Payments system, designed to encourage sugarcane growers to improve sucrose content and processing efficiency. That year, the market volume was 1 578 thousand tons. A sharp contraction followed in 2019, reducing the market to 1 233 thousand tons, before a recovery to 1 600 thousand tons in 2020.

Growth continued into 2021, reaching a peak of 1 700 thousand tons. The market then stabilized, with volumes of 1 622 thousand tons in 2022 and 1 602 thousand tons in 2023. In value terms, the market expanded steadily from USD 689.4 million in 2018 to USD 833.0 million in 2023.

By 2025, the sector was adapting to significant developments, including a 155% surge in sugar imports in the latter half of the year, which pressured local sales, and the launch of the Shesha energy drink made from raw sugarcane juice to diversify product offerings. Consumer preferences were also shifting towards sugar substitutes like stevia, while draft regulations proposed warning labels for high-sugar beverages.

Production sucrose in solid form in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Between 2018 and 2021, South Africa ranked as the 19th largest producer of solid sucrose in the world.

Top producers of sucrose in solid form, 2018-2021

World map of production of sucrose in solid form, 2018-2021

South Africa's solid sucrose production grew for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 1 898 K t of solid sucrose, marking a modest increase of 2.2% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production rose by 6%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 589 K t, which saw the largest decline of 11.2%. In contrast, 2020 experienced the biggest increase of 16.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

South Africa's solid sucrose production value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the output was valued at 878.7 M $ US, reflecting a significant rise of 20.6% from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, production value grew by 13.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.4%. The lowest value occurred in 2019 at 620.9 M $ US, which saw the largest drop of 19.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports sucrose in solid form from South Africa

Exports in kind, K t

South Africa's solid sucrose export volume fell for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country exported 247.8 K t, showing a sharp decrease of 28.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports dropped by 40.2%, with an average annual decline of 15.8%. The highest export volume was in 2019 at 500.6 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 20.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 30.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Mozambique, Namibia, and the United Kingdom remained the top buyers of solid sucrose from South Africa. Mozambique accounted for 36.6% of exports in kind, Namibia for 16.3%, and the United Kingdom for 11.7%. Together, these three countries made up 64.6% of South Africa's total solid sucrose exports by volume.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

South Africa's solid sucrose export value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 114.7 M $ US, down 15.7% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, export value decreased by 35.9%, equating to an annualized decline of 13.8%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 195.6 M $ US, which saw the largest increase of 9.3%. The largest drop occurred in 2020, with a decrease of 30.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Mozambique, Namibia, and Botswana were the leading markets for South Africa's solid sucrose exports by value. Mozambique represented 30.4% of export value, Namibia 22.5%, and Botswana 10.8%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 63.7% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021

Imports sucrose in solid form to South Africa

Imports in kind, K t

South Africa's solid sucrose import volume decreased for the third year in a row. In 2021, imports reached 49.5 K t, down 45.0% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports fell by 75.5%, with an average annual decline of 37.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Eswatini, Brazil, and Zambia were the largest contributors to South Africa's solid sucrose imports by volume. Eswatini accounted for 31.2% of imports in kind, Brazil for 26.3%, and Zambia for 7.9%. Together, these three countries made up 65.4% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

South Africa's solid sucrose import value dropped for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 29.3 M $ US, which is 38.0% lower than the year before. Between 2018 and 2021, import value decreased by 69.4%, equating to an annualized decline of 32.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Eswatini, Brazil, and Zambia were the primary suppliers of solid sucrose to South Africa by value. Eswatini represented 39.1% of imports in value terms, Brazil 20.1%, and Zambia 8.7%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 67.9% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021