Sugar cane market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the sugar cane market in Eastern Asia expanded, with market volume reaching 112.0 million tons. This initial growth was supported by rural revitalization policies that temporarily boosted cultivation and production. However, by 2020, the market contracted slightly to 111.2 million tons as low domestic and international sugar prices combined with high cultivation costs pressured growers, despite some yield improvements from technological advances.

Market volume continued to decline in the following years, falling to 106.8 million tons by 2022. This was primarily driven by volatile global sugar prices and rising production costs, which increased supply pressure and limited the industry's expansion. A recovery began in 2023, with the market volume rising to 107.7 million tons, fueled by a rebound in consumer demand for fresh sugar cane amid growing household incomes and supported by favorable weather conditions that aided production.

In 2024, new regulatory measures came into effect, including the Food Security Law enacted in June, which strengthened overall food safety frameworks. Updated food safety regulations and continued advancements in mechanization within major growing regions, alongside supply chain upgrades like cold chain logistics, aimed at enhancing processing efficiency and product quality for the sugar cane sector.

Production sugar cane in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, M t

Top producers of sugar cane, 2017-2020

World map of production of sugar cane, 2017-2020

Eastern Asia's sugar cane production saw a decline after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 110.6 million tonnes, but then fell by 1.0% to 109.5 million tonnes in 2020. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 3.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.2%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 3.4%.

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

Exports sugar cane from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Eastern Asia's sugar cane exports have been declining for three consecutive years. In 2020, the region exported 0.3 thousand tonnes, marking a 30.1% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports dropped by 58%, with a compound annual growth rate of -25.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Eastern Asia's sugar cane exports were distributed across numerous markets, with no single destination dominating. Malaysia accounted for 4.7% of exports, Vietnam for 4.5%, and Canada for 3.7%, collectively making up just 13.0% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Eastern Asia's sugar cane export values have decreased for two years in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 332 thousand US dollars, a sharp decline of 29.4% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export values fell by 40.8%, corresponding to an average annual decrease of 16.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 601 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 7.2% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Eastern Asia's sugar cane export values were not heavily concentrated in a few key markets. Malaysia represented 23.9% of export values, Canada 13.3%, and the Netherlands 7.5%, together accounting for only 44.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports sugar cane to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Eastern Asia's sugar cane imports have risen for three consecutive years. In 2020, the region imported a total of [value_last_year] thousand tonnes, showing a strong increase of 20.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 72.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 20.0%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Myanmar and Laos were the primary sources for Eastern Asia's sugar cane imports. Myanmar accounted for 58.1% of import volumes, while Laos made up 41.4%, together representing 99.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Eastern Asia's sugar cane import values have increased for three years running. In 2020, imports totaled [value_last_year] thousand US dollars, reflecting a notable rise of 16.7% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import values climbed by 61.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 17.4%.

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

During 2017–2020, Myanmar and Laos dominated Eastern Asia's sugar cane imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 99.0% of total flows, with the remainder distributed among other markets.

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

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