Sucrose in solid form market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for chemically pure sucrose in solid form in Sub-Saharan Africa showed significant volatility from 2018 to 2023. Market volume began at 10 799 thousand tons in 2018, a year marked by rising local sugar production that exceeded 10 000 tons during the 2018-2019 campaign. However, volume fell 5.2% to 10 233 thousand tons in 2019, even amid a broader long-term trend that saw gross sugar production triple between 2012 and 2019.

A strong rebound followed in 2020, with market volume surging 17% to 11 976 thousand tons. Growth then slowed, reaching 12 125 thousand tons in 2021 and a peak of 12 185 thousand tons in 2022. The market contracted by 5.6% in 2023, finishing at 11 507 thousand tons.

Production sucrose in solid form in Sub-Saharan Africa

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

After two consecutive years of decline, Sub-Saharan Africa's production of sucrose in solid form rebounded. In 2019, output reached its lowest point at 6 944 thousand tonnes. The following year, in 2020, production surged to 8 188 thousand tonnes, representing a significant 17.9% increase compared to 2019. The most substantial decline occurred in 2018, when production fell by 9.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports sucrose in solid form from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Market performance showed notable fluctuations during this period. Exports bottomed out in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.1-fold difference between these years. In 2019, exports reached their highest level at 1 099 thousand tonnes. However, by 2020, exports from Sub-Saharan Africa dropped sharply to 523 thousand tonnes, marking a 52.4% decrease from the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, when exports grew by 78.4%.

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

The structure of exports in kind from 2017 to 2020 reveals a diversified set of trading partners. Spain accounted for 7.7% of exports, Italy for 6.5%, and the United Kingdom for 5.4%. Together, these three countries represented only 19.6% of total export flows, while the remaining 80.4% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year upward trend, the value of sucrose in solid form exports from Sub-Saharan Africa declined. In 2019, exports reached their peak at 504 million US dollars. The following year, in 2020, exports fell to 353 million US dollars, representing a steep 29.9% decrease compared to 2019. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 17.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2018, when export value rose by 8.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the value of sucrose in solid form exports from Sub-Saharan Africa was widely dispersed across partner countries. Spain accounted for 6.9% of export value, Italy for 6.6%, and the United Kingdom for 4.5%. Collectively, these three countries represented only 17.9% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports sucrose in solid form to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, imports of sucrose in solid form into Sub-Saharan Africa declined. In 2019, imports reached their highest level at 4 388 thousand tonnes. The following year, in 2020, imports decreased slightly to 4 311 thousand tonnes, representing a 1.7% decline compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 7.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2018, when imports grew by 9.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, India, and Guatemala formed the main cluster of suppliers for imports in kind. Brazil accounted for 40.8% of imports, India for 14.9%, and Guatemala for 4.9%. Together, these three countries represented 60.6% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of sucrose in solid form imports into Sub-Saharan Africa stood at 1 752 million US dollars, representing a modest 2.4% increase compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 711 million US dollars, while the maximum occurred in 2018 at 1 855 million US dollars. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 4.9%, equating to an annualized decline of 1.7%. The largest decrease was recorded in 2019, when import value fell by 7.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, India, and the United Arab Emirates continued to lead as the main suppliers of sucrose in solid form to Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms. Brazil accounted for 37.6% of import value, India for 15.0%, and the United Arab Emirates for 4.7%. Together, these three countries represented 57.4% of total import value.

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

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020