Sugar cane market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

Production of sugar cane in the MENA region started at 25.5 million tons in 2018 but fell to 24.4 million tons by 2019. This initial drop was primarily due to state policies that prioritized sugar beet extraction over endemic sugar cane cultivation, especially in areas like Upper Egypt, which led to neglected farming conditions and reduced output.

In the following years, market volumes remained volatile. A slight recovery in 2020 coincided with government efforts to enhance productivity through vertical expansion, support for high-yield varieties, and modern irrigation techniques. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains for sugar-related products, while a sustained shift in consumer preferences toward natural and healthier sweeteners dampened demand, contributing to further declines in 2021 and relative stabilization in 2022.

By 2023, production decreased to 23.3 million tons despite government stabilization measures, including additional incentive payments for sugar cane suppliers and increased deliveries to state-owned sugar mills. These actions aimed to support local growers, but the market continued to face pressure from rising global sugar prices and persistent consumer movement toward sugar substitutes, trends that extended into 2024.

Production sugar cane in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sugar cane, 2017-2020

World map of production of sugar cane, 2017-2020

In 2020, MENA produced 24,911 thousand tonnes of sugar cane, marking a 2.0% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 5.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 25,541 thousand tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 8.3% also occurring that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the most significant decline, with production dropping by 4.4%.

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

Exports sugar cane from MENA

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility throughout the observed period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, showing a dramatic 170-fold difference between these years. In 2020, MENA's sugar cane exports amounted to 34 tonnes, representing a sharp decline of 61.6% from the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 89 tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 with a staggering growth of 1,804.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Cameroon and the United Kingdom were the primary export markets for sugar cane in kind, together accounting for 2.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data indicates irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Export values hit their low in 2017 and reached a high in 2018, with a 14.9-fold variation between these years. In 2020, MENA exported sugar cane worth 32 thousand US dollars, which was a decline of 63.2% year-over-year. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 125 thousand US dollars, with the largest annual increase also in 2018 at 1,386.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, sugar cane from MENA was exported to numerous markets, with even the top destinations—Cameroon, the United Kingdom, and Seychelles—collectively representing only 6.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports sugar cane to MENA

Imports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Import volumes were at their lowest in 2018 and peaked in 2019, varying by a factor of 9 times. In 2020, MENA imported 1,625 tonnes of sugar cane, indicating a substantial reduction of 35.7% compared to the previous year. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 280 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2019 at 2,529 tonnes. The largest annual decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 61.7%, and the largest increase was in 2019 with growth of 802.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Pakistan and India were the key partner countries for sugar cane imports in kind to MENA, jointly accounting for 5.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, MENA imported sugar cane worth 2,791 thousand US dollars, down by 35.6% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 32.6%, equating to an average annual decline of 12.3%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 2,791 thousand US dollars, with the largest annual increase also in 2019 at 12.7%.

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

During 2017–2020, Pakistan (15.2% of imports in value terms), India (7.8%), and the Philippines (1.0%) led the list of sugar cane suppliers to MENA, together accounting for 24.0% of total import value.

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

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