Sugar cane market in ASEAN

Earlier Report Observations

The ASEAN sugar cane market contracted significantly from 221.1 million tonnes in 2018 to 149.0 million tonnes by 2021. The sharpest decline occurred in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic severely weakened demand from traditional outlets like restaurants, offsetting the positive impact of favorable weather on local production in the Philippines. Supply chain pressures continued into 2021, with events like Typhoon Odette and the Ukraine-Russia conflict contributing to low sugar balances and price volatility, further constraining the market.

A recovery began in 2022 as the market volume rose to 171.9 million tonnes, supported by consistently high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages in Indonesia. This resurgence occurred despite a noted 11.3% drop in sugarcane production in the Philippines the following year, as strong cultural demand during festivities in Indonesia helped stabilize the overall market volume at 171.6 million tonnes in 2023. The industry also saw a regulatory focus on controlling artificial sweeteners and ensuring product quality during this period.

Recent initiatives aim to address production challenges, with government programs in the Philippines targeting improved cropping calendars, soil productivity, and mechanization to achieve greater self-sufficiency. Concurrently, a shift in consumer preferences across ASEAN towards natural and organic sugar products is influencing market offerings and prompting greater attention to product labeling.

Production sugar cane in ASEAN

In kind, 2017-2020, M t

Top producers of sugar cane, 2017-2020

World map of production of sugar cane, 2017-2020

Sugar cane production in ASEAN declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, ASEAN produced 153.8 million tons of sugar cane, which was 26.9% lower than the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 15.3%, averaging an annual decrease of 5.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 221.2 million tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 21.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020, M t

Exports sugar cane from ASEAN

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. From 2017 to 2019, exports fluctuated dramatically, with a peak-to-trough difference of 34 times. In 2020, ASEAN's sugar cane exports reached 81.7 thousand tons, representing a massive increase of 2,130.2% compared to 2019. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at just 3.7 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 97.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China was the dominant destination for ASEAN's sugar cane exports in volume terms, accounting for 73.0% of total shipments.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed considerable volatility over this period. Exports in value terms reached their highest point in 2018 and their lowest in 2019, with a 4.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, sugar cane exports from ASEAN were valued at 13 678 thousand US dollars, showing a substantial rise of 222.9% from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 4 236 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 17 284 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 75.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China was the primary market for ASEAN's sugar cane exports in value terms, accounting for 65.0% of total exports. The United States followed with 3.3%, and Japan with 2.1%. Together, these three markets represented 70.4% of all export value.

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

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

Imports sugar cane to ASEAN

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes showed an unstable pattern throughout this timeframe. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019, while the lowest was in 2020, with a 2.5-fold gap between these years. In 2020, ASEAN's sugar cane imports amounted to 5.0 thousand tons, marking a sharp drop of 60.7% compared to the previous year. The maximum import volume was in 2019 at 12.7 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 95.6%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, China was the largest source of sugar cane imports to ASEAN in volume terms, though it represented only 0.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, ASEAN's sugar cane imports were valued at 5 663 thousand US dollars, representing a decline of 25.8% compared to the previous year. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 8.2%, averaging an annual reduction of 2.8%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 7 633 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 24.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China consistently held the leading position as the source of ASEAN's sugar cane imports in value terms, accounting for 1.2% of total import flows.

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

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