Sugar cane market in SADC, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

Production of sugar cane in the SADC region increased to 55 220 thousand metric tons in 2019, partly driven by quality incentives from the shift to a Recoverable Value payment system for growers. This growth was followed by a period of decline, as the market confronted persistent operational challenges including high production costs, loadshedding, and civil unrest, which reduced output to 51 433 thousand metric tons by 2021.

The launch of the South African Sugar Master Plan in 2020 aimed to address these structural issues through coordinated industry and government action. A slight recovery in 2022 to 52 155 thousand metric tons coincided with expanded support services for small, medium, and large-scale black farmers, offering technical skills training and financial management workshops to bolster production. However, volumes dipped again in 2023 as cost pressures, energy shortages, and social instability continued to challenge the sector.

Throughout the period, regulatory measures such as the Health Promotion Levy on sugar and updates to food safety regulations influenced the market environment. The industry also saw the emergence of new product segments like sugarcane-based energy drinks, reflecting a strategic shift toward diversification in response to changing consumer preferences and health trends.

Production sugar cane in SADC

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sugar cane, 2017-2020

World map of production of sugar cane, 2017-2020

SADC's sugar cane production declined after two consecutive years of growth. In 2020, production reached 52 651 thousand tonnes, marking a 4.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 3% overall, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 55 220 thousand tonnes, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 4.4%.

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

Exports sugar cane from SADC

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a staggering 5 398-fold difference between these years. In 2020, SADC's sugar cane exports totaled 74.9 tonnes, representing a 36.9% decrease compared to the previous year. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 118.7 tonnes, while the largest percentage increase occurred in 2018 at 42 737.2%.

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

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 and reached their peak in 2019, with a 10.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, SADC exported sugar cane worth 101.7 thousand US dollars, which was a 10.8% decrease year-on-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 10.7 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 114.0 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 51.1%, and the most significant increase took place in 2019 at 970.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Pakistan and Côte d'Ivoire were the largest destinations for SADC's sugar cane exports in value terms, together accounting for 20.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sugar cane to SADC

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports were at their lowest in 2017 and reached their highest in 2018, with a 128-fold difference between these years. In 2020, SADC imported 3.8 tonnes of sugar cane, which represents a sharp 92.0% reduction compared to 2019. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 176.6 tonnes, while the largest percentage increase occurred that same year at 12 718.4%.

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

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import values dropped to their minimum in 2020 after peaking in 2018, showing a 14.4-fold shift between these extremes. In 2020, SADC's sugar cane imports totaled 5.2 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a dramatic 88.7% reduction compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 75.2 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred that same year at 180.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia were the principal suppliers of sugar cane to SADC in value terms, each accounting for 0.6% of imports. Together, these three countries represented 1.8% of total import value during this period.

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

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