Sugar cane market in China

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, sugar cane production in China trended downward, leading to a decline in market volume from 110.8 million tons to 105.5 million tons. This was primarily driven by a sustained reduction in planting area, as farmers faced rising costs for agricultural inputs and labor amid low profitability, which dampened cultivation enthusiasm. Although increasing yield per hectare helped cushion the fall in output, it could not fully offset the shrinking acreage.

Production saw a modest recovery to 104.6 million tons in 2023, with market volume rising to 106.5 million tons, partly supported by imports growing to 1.9 million tons. During this period, high production costs continued to pressure growers, but the market began to benefit from cold-chain logistics and packaging technology upgrades that extended product shelf life. Concurrently, rising consumer preference for fresh, crisp cane varieties and broader demand for healthy, high-quality foods provided additional support for consumption.

Looking ahead, factors for 2024 highlight further advancements in preservation technology and sustained consumer focus on freshness and quality, which help maintain market activity. Imports reached 3.0 million tons, supplementing domestic supply as production remains concentrated in major growing regions like Guangxi, Yunnan, and Guangdong.

Production sugar cane in China

In kind, 2017-2020, M t

From 2017 to 2020, China ranked fourth globally in sugar cane production.

Top producers of sugar cane, 2017-2020

World map of production of sugar cane, 2017-2020

Following two years of growth, China's sugar cane production declined. In 2020, the country produced 108.1 million tonnes, representing a slight year-over-year decrease of 1.2%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 3.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 109.4 million tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 3.5%.

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

Exports sugar cane from China

Exports in kind, K t

China's sugar cane exports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 1 000 tonnes, showing a sharp decrease of 40.5% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 67.8%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 31.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong and Macao were the primary destinations for China's sugar cane exports, together accounting for 83.4% of total shipments, with the remainder distributed among smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

China's sugar cane export volumes declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 332 000 US dollars, marking a significant reduction of 29.4% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 40.8%, with a compound annual decline of 16.0%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 599 000 US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 6.9%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Malaysia (23.9% of export value), Macao (22.7%), and Hong Kong (21.3%) remained the main markets for China's sugar cane exports in value terms, collectively representing 67.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports sugar cane to China

Imports in kind, K t

China's sugar cane imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 1 706 000 tonnes, up by 20.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 73%, equivalent to an annualized increase of 20.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Myanmar and Laos together accounted for 99.6% of China's sugar cane imports in volume terms, indicating a highly concentrated import structure.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

China's sugar cane imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 97 062 000 US dollars, rising by 17.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 62.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.5%.

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

During 2017-2020, the import structure in value terms was dominated by Myanmar and Laos, which together accounted for 99.6% of total flows.

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

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