Sugar cane market in Ethiopia

Earlier Report Observations

Ethiopia's sugar cane production, which defines the domestic market volume, rose from 1.3 million tons in 2018 to nearly 1.5 million tons in 2019 before entering a period of decline. The market contraction in 2021 was accompanied by a sharp 76% drop in the value of sugar cane exports, indicating that external demand challenges reduced off-take for producers. This was followed by further production difficulties in 2022, where harvested area expanded but yield issues led to output falling 25% year-on-year to 815 thousand tons.

The market recovered in 2023 as production jumped 33% to 1.1 million tons, restoring volume to near 2020 levels. Throughout the period, regional trade linkages remained evident, with Djibouti as a key export destination and Saudi Arabia a primary import source. By 2024, the average export price had eased slightly to $415 per ton, reflecting continued modest trade activity in the region.

Production sugar cane in Ethiopia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sugar cane, 2017-2020

World map of production of sugar cane, 2017-2020

Ethiopia's sugar cane production saw a two-year rise before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 1 499 thousand tons. However, in 2020, it fell to 1 345 thousand tons, marking a 10.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 18.4%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 5.8%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when production grew by 15.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Ethiopia's sugar cane production experienced a two-year advance before declining. In 2019, the value of sugar cane output peaked at 604.8 million US dollars. In 2020, it dropped to 529.5 million US dollars, representing a 12.5% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, the value of production increased by 6.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.0%. The most significant increase was recorded in 2019, with a 15.0% rise.

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

Exports sugar cane from Ethiopia

Exports in kind, kg

Ethiopia's cross-border shipments of sugar cane declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 9 922 kilograms of sugar cane, which was a 6.9% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 75%, corresponding to an annualized decline of 37.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ethiopia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Djibouti accounted for almost all of Ethiopia's sugar cane exports in kind, with a share of 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

Ethiopia's sugar cane exports declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 3 905 US dollars, a 9.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 77.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -39.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Djibouti dominated Ethiopia's sugar cane exports in value terms, consistently representing 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports sugar cane to Ethiopia

Imports in kind, kg

In 2020, Ethiopia's sugar cane imports totaled 273 kilograms, showing little change from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 31.1%, which equates to an annualized growth rate of 9.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ethiopia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia and France were the two key markets for Ethiopia's sugar cane imports in kind, together accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

In 2020, Ethiopia's foreign sugar cane supplies reached 435 US dollars, remaining relatively flat compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports surged by 472.4%, corresponding to an annualized rate of 78.9%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Ethiopia's sugar cane imports in value terms were heavily concentrated on Saudi Arabia and France, with their combined share reaching 100.0% of total flows.

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

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