Sucrose in solid form market in Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

The sucrose market in Zambia experienced significant fluctuations in volume between 2018 and 2023, ranging from 190 thousand tons to over 310 thousand tons. These movements were primarily influenced by recurring drought conditions affecting sugarcane irrigation and production yields at the dominant producer, Zambia Sugar Plc.

In 2020, the market volume surged to 277 thousand tons as sugar exports collapsed to just 1.1 thousand tons, likely due to global trade disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conversely, production declines in 2021 and 2023, linked to persistent drought and power interruptions, reduced market volume to 243 thousand tons and 274 thousand tons respectively.

The market peaked at 312 thousand tons in 2022 supported by a temporary increase in imports to 16.2 thousand tons, though specific drivers for this import spike were not highlighted in available sources. Throughout the period, Zambia Sugar Plc maintained over 90% market share, with no new major entrants or facility changes reported.

Production sucrose in solid form in Zambia

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

Zambia's production of sucrose in solid form reached 277.9 thousand tons in 2020, marking a significant 17.6% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 16.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 236.3 thousand tons, which represented a 7.5% decline from the previous year.

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

Exports sucrose in solid form from Zambia

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2018, with a 61-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Zambia exported 1 091 tons of sucrose in solid form, representing a dramatic 97.6% decrease compared to 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 66 011 tons, which marked a substantial 62.0% increase from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo was the dominant destination for Zambia's sucrose in solid form exports, accounting for 88.0% of total export volumes, while the remaining share was distributed among other trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export values bottomed out in 2020 and reached their peak in 2018, with a 25-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Zambia's sucrose in solid form exports were valued at 1 272 thousand US dollars, representing a 94.6% decrease compared to the previous year. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 31 560 thousand US dollars, which marked a 45.2% increase from the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo accounted for 81.7% of Zambia's total sucrose in solid form export value, with the remaining share distributed among a diverse group of smaller trading partners.

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

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

Imports sucrose in solid form to Zambia

Imports in kind, t

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, showing a 6.3-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Zambia imported 320 tons of sucrose in solid form, reflecting a sharp 53.3% increase compared to the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 721 tons, which represented a remarkable 531.7% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 71.1% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Zimbabwe and South Africa were the primary suppliers of sucrose in solid form to Zambia, together accounting for 94.8% of total import volumes, while the remaining share was distributed across various other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market displayed signs of volatility throughout the observed period. Import values reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 14.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Zambia's sucrose in solid form imports were valued at 194 thousand US dollars, representing a 42.2% decrease year-over-year. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 1 632 thousand US dollars, which marked an extraordinary 1 383.7% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 79.4% decrease.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Zimbabwe remained the main source of Zambia's sucrose in solid form imports in value terms, accounting for 85.1% of total import value, with the remaining share distributed across various smaller markets.

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

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