Sugar cane market in Pakistan

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, Pakistan's sugarcane market volume saw a slight contraction, influenced by water shortages and a reduction in cultivated area which constrained output. During this period, the government maintained higher tariffs on sugar imports and export subsidy policies to stabilize the domestic industry.

The market expanded sharply from 2020 to 2021, with volume rising by over 22% in 2020 alone. This growth was driven by a rapid increase in the harvested area for sugarcane. Continued strong consumption demand further supported the high production levels reached in 2021.

Production stabilized near 88 million tonnes from 2022 to 2023. This was supported by a substantial increase in the government's minimum support price for sugarcane, which encouraged cultivation, and by policies approving sugar exports that improved mill economics. The introduction of genetically modified sugarcane varieties and government measures to curb underreporting at mills also contributed to sustaining output.

Production sugar cane in Pakistan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Pakistan ranked as the world's 5th largest producer of sugar cane.

Top producers of sugar cane, 2017-2020

World map of production of sugar cane, 2017-2020

After two consecutive years of decline, sugar cane production in Pakistan rebounded in 2020. That year, the country produced 81 009 thousand tonnes, marking a significant 22.0% increase from 2019. However, looking at the entire 2017-2020 period, overall production actually decreased by 2.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 0.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 66 380 thousand tonnes, while the sharpest year-on-year drop occurred in 2018 with a 19.4% decrease.

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

Exports sugar cane from Pakistan

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Pakistan's sugar cane exports amounted to 176.2 tonnes, representing a 24.4% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 15%, averaging an annual reduction of 5.3%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 157.7 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 233.2 tonnes. The most substantial year-on-year increase happened in 2019, when exports grew by 47.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Afghanistan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates were Pakistan's primary export markets for sugar cane in physical terms. Afghanistan accounted for 66.0% of exports, Qatar for 12.7%, and the UAE for 11.5%. Together, these three countries represented 90.2% of Pakistan's total sugar cane exports during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The export value of sugar cane from Pakistan showed considerable volatility between 2017 and 2020. In 2020, exports were valued at 115.3 thousand US dollars, which was 54.7% lower than the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 254.5 thousand US dollars, representing a 78.7% increase from 2018. From the peak in 2019 to the low in 2020, export values varied by a factor of 2.2.

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

In value terms, Afghanistan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates formed the core of Pakistan's sugar cane export markets from 2017 to 2020. Afghanistan accounted for 58.4% of export value, Qatar for 15.5%, and the UAE for 13.3%. Collectively, these three markets represented 87.2% of Pakistan's total sugar cane export revenue during this period.

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

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

Imports sugar cane to Pakistan

Imports in kind, t

Pakistan's sugar cane imports saw a dramatic surge in 2020, reaching 10.0 tonnes. This represented an extraordinary increase of 250,900.0% compared to the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa was essentially the sole supplier of sugar cane to Pakistan, accounting for 100.0% of the country's imports in physical terms.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of Pakistan's sugar cane imports skyrocketed in 2020, totaling 37.3 thousand US dollars. This represented a massive increase of 243,743.7% compared to 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa completely dominated Pakistan's sugar cane imports in value terms, accounting for 100.0% of import expenditure.

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

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