Sugar beet market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The sugar beet market in Sub-Saharan Africa entered the period supported by public sector measures and foreign investments that bolstered domestic production. This contributed to a market volume of 12 062 t in 2018, which remained steady at 11 666 t the following year.

A sharp contraction to 8 262 t occurred in 2020, driven by global supply chain disruptions that affected production and distribution. Recovery followed from 2021, fueled by the expansion of cultivated areas across the region and high sugar prices that incentivized farmers to increase beet planting. This pushed the market size back to 10 278 t in 2021 and further to 11 158 t in 2022.

The market volume receded to 10 066 t in 2023. During this time, major industry players continued to strengthen capacities, with significant investments noted in sugar beet processing in countries like Côte d'Ivoire.

Production sugar beet in Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sugar beet, 2017-2020

World map of production of sugar beet, 2017-2020

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Import levels varied significantly, with a 1.8-fold difference between the low in 2017 and the high in 2018. In 2020, sugar beet production in Sub-Saharan Africa reached 8 223 tonnes, which represents a 29.3% year-on-year decrease. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 11 955 tonnes, marking the largest annual increase of 79.8%.

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

Exports sugar beet from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed clear signs of volatility throughout the observed period. Export volumes showed a 2.9-fold variation between the minimum in 2017 and the maximum in 2020. In 2020, sugar beet exports from Sub-Saharan Africa reached 13.1 tonnes, reflecting a sharp 53.9% year-on-year increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 19.1%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2018 at 129.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Malta, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom remained the primary markets for sugar beet exports from Sub-Saharan Africa. Malta accounted for 23.3% of exports in kind, the Netherlands for 13.4%, and the United Kingdom for 7.9%. Together, these three countries represented 44.6% of total export flows.

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, $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. Export values peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2019, showing a 10.8-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, sugar beet deliveries from Sub-Saharan Africa were valued at 10 327 US dollars, representing a substantial 508.2% year-on-year increase. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 698 US dollars, which also marked the largest annual decline of 85.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom contributed most significantly to export values, together accounting for 59.9% of total export flows in monetary terms.

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 sugar beet to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, t

Market behavior exhibited volatility throughout these years. Import volumes showed a 2.7-fold variation between the low in 2019 and the high in 2018. In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa's sugar beet imports amounted to 51.8 tonnes, representing a 21.3% increase compared to 2019. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 42.7 tonnes, while the maximum reached 117.3 tonnes in 2018. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 63.5%, and the most significant increase was recorded in 2018 at 139.2%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and Morocco were the largest suppliers of sugar beet to Sub-Saharan Africa, though none dominated the market individually. The UAE accounted for 12.3% of imports in kind, the UK for 10.7%, and Morocco for 10.0%. Together, these three countries represented 33.0% of total imports against a backdrop of numerous smaller trading partners.

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, $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout this timeframe. Import values reached their peak in 2018 and their lowest point in 2019, with a 2.8-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa's sugar beet imports were valued at 37 806 US dollars, marking a steep 53.3% increase from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 24 663 US dollars, while the maximum reached 69 613 US dollars in 2018. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 64.6%, and the most significant increase was recorded in 2018 at 116.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, the United Arab Emirates, and China formed the largest group of sugar beet suppliers to Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms. Belgium accounted for 11.2% of imports, the UAE for 6.9%, and China for 6.4%. However, their combined contribution was limited to 24.5% of total import value, reflecting a diversified country structure with many smaller partners.

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