Sugar beet market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Sugar beet production in Northern Africa began the period at 14 171 thousand tons in 2018, a level that was influenced by the 30% drop in sugar prices the previous year, which discouraged output. Market expectations were also shaped by plans for a major new beet sugar factory slated for mid‑2020, with a targeted capacity of 750 thousand tons of white sugar annually. By 2019, the market volume rose to 16 027 thousand tons. The following year, 2020, saw a contraction to 14 001 thousand tons, marking a return to near 2018 levels.

A sharp rebound occurred in 2021, lifting the market to 16 856 thousand tons. However, this gain was reversed in 2022 when volume fell to 14 517 thousand tons. This decline was primarily due to a shift in planted area away from sugar beet toward sugarcane, as growers responded to supply‑policy directives that prioritized cane sugar for state procurement.

In 2023, the market recovered to 15 614 thousand tons. This growth was driven by a government order to raise beet sugar companies’ production capacity by 30% and by expanded planting contracts, such as one in Fayoum covering 75 thousand feddans that delivered about 1.06 million tons of beets and contributed to a 10% increase in sugar output compared with the prior year.

Production sugar beet in Northern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sugar beet, 2017-2020

World map of production of sugar beet, 2017-2020

In 2020, Northern Africa produced 14 001 thousand tons of sugar beet, marking a 12.6% decrease compared to 2019. Production peaked in 2019 at 16 027 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 13.1%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production declined by 4.6%, representing an average annual decrease of 1.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Northern Africa's sugar beet production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 2 102 million US dollars, showing a significant reduction of 12.1% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 643 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 7.6%. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 14.4%, with an average annual decline of 5.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports sugar beet from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Sugar beet exports from Northern Africa declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 137 tons, representing a sharp decrease of 77.0% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 98.3%, with an average annual decline of 74.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia was the primary destination for sugar beet exports in kind, accounting for 75.7% of total flows. Other markets formed a long tail of smaller partners.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of sugar beet from Northern Africa declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports registered 21 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a steep reduction of 76.9% compared to 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, exports decreased by 98.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -75.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia was the key buyer of sugar beet from Northern Africa, taking 83.7% of total exports in value terms. A diversified group of other countries accounted for the remainder.

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

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

Imports sugar beet to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports peaked in 2018 at 7 tons and fell to their lowest point in 2020 at 0.2 tons, creating a gap of 42 times between these years. In 2020, Northern Africa's volume of sugar beet imports stood at 0.2 tons, amounting to a fall of 74.9% versus the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 90.4%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 307.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in kind of sugar beet to Northern Africa were almost completely tied to France, whose share amounted to 93.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Sugar beet imports to Northern Africa declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, a total of {value_last_year} thousand US dollars of sugar beet was imported, down by 59.2% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 2 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 51.6%. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 45.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -18.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy (33.8% of imports in value terms), France (32.9% of imports in value terms), and China (22.7% of imports in value terms) made the biggest contribution to imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 89.4% of total flows.

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

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