Sucrose in solid form market in Tanzania

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, sugar production in Tanzania increased from 341.7 thousand tons to 394.2 thousand tons. This growth was supported by sustained government backing for smallholder farmers and investments in sugar plants, alongside high technical efficiency at factories. The rapid production expansion in 2020 helped raise market volume despite lower imports, while the 2023 inauguration of a new irrigation dam at Mtibwa Sugar Factory aimed to enhance processing capacity and reduce delays.

The overall sucrose market volume fluctuated, peaking at 648.6 thousand tons in 2022 before declining to 584.6 thousand tons in 2023. These swings were closely tied to import levels, which varied due to protective measures and import duties. Reduced imports in 2019 contributed to a market drop, while a surge in imports during 2022 compensated for domestic production gaps, before another decline in 2023 lowered the total volume.

Regulatory updates, including amendments to the Sugar Industry Act and new labeling and packaging requirements under the Tanzania Food, Drugs and Cosmetics Act, shaped the market environment. Major players like Kilombero Sugar Company Limited and Mtibwa Sugar Estates Limited remained central, and the industry saw the emergence of integrated agriculture-energy models and diversification into co-products, indicating a move toward greater efficiency and new revenue streams.

Production sucrose in solid form in Tanzania

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

In 2020, Tanzania produced 373.9 thousand tons of sucrose in solid form, marking a 9.9% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 15.5%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 4.9%. The only decline during this timeframe occurred in 2019, when production fell by 0.4%.

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

Exports sucrose in solid form from Tanzania

Exports in kind, K t

The export market for sucrose in solid form from Tanzania exhibited significant volatility during the observed period. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at 0.0 thousand tons, while they peaked in 2019 at 2.0 thousand tons, representing a staggering 1 954-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, exports dropped to 0.0 thousand tons, a dramatic 99.9% decrease from the previous year. The most substantial increase was recorded in 2019, with a surge of 195 317.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Rwanda dominated Tanzania's export structure in kind, accounting for 96.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The export market in value terms showed considerable volatility over the observed period. In 2018, exports reached their lowest point at 0.0 million US dollars, while they peaked in 2019 at 0.7 million US dollars, indicating a 3 086-fold fluctuation. In 2020, exports stood at 0.0 million US dollars, representing a sharp 99.8% decline from the prior year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 308 523.7%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Tanzania's export structure in value terms was highly concentrated, with Rwanda alone making up 95.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sucrose in solid form to Tanzania

Imports in kind, K t

Tanzania's imports of sucrose in solid form declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 153.6 thousand tons, which is 17.6% lower than in 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports decreased by 36.5%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of -14.0%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 267.6 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 30.3%, while the most significant increase was in 2018, with a rise of 10.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania's imports in kind were distributed across a diverse set of partner countries. Thailand accounted for 17.5% of imports, India for 17.4%, and the United Arab Emirates for 14.9%, with these three countries together making up just 49.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Tanzania's imports of sucrose in solid form in value terms fell for the second year in a row in 2020, amounting to 70.1 million US dollars, an 11.6% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports declined by 35.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -13.4%. The peak import value was in 2018 at 124.1 million US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019, with a drop of 36.1%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 14.8%.

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

The country composition of Tanzania's imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was dispersed. India contributed 18.0% of imports, Thailand 16.3%, and the United Arab Emirates 14.5%, with these three countries collectively accounting for just 48.8% of total import flows. The remaining 51.2% was distributed among a wide range of other trading partners.

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

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