Market research

Sugar cane market in South Africa

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh sugar cane in South Africa contracted from 19.3 million tons in 2018 to 17.2 million tons in 2021. This sustained decline was primarily driven by the introduction of the Health Promotion Levy, which reduced domestic sugar consumption, and by persistently low global sugar prices that made exports loss-making for local producers. The industry's challenges were formally recognized in the 2020 Sugarcane Value Chain Master Plan, which cited a 'perfect storm' of distorted international prices and a reduced Southern African Customs Union import quota, pressuring mill operations and grower viability.

Market volume began to recover in 2022, reaching 17.9 million tons and stabilizing at that level in 2023. The rebound occurred despite a significant 19.8% increase in cane prices in 2023, fueled by higher agricultural input costs, which tempered further expansion. Throughout this period, the sector continued to navigate the ongoing effects of the sugar tax and competition from imported sugar.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in South Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, kg
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, kg
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, kg
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2025, $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, kg
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, kg
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, kg
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2025, $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, kg
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, kg
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, kg
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2025, $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, kg
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, kg
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, kg
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2025, $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, kg
  2. 8.1.2. In value, $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, kg
  2. 8.2.2. In value, $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2025
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production sugar cane in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Globally, South Africa ranked as the 13th largest producer of sugar cane during the 2018-2021 period.

Top producers of sugar cane, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of sugar cane, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

South Africa's sugar cane production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 17 199 thousand tons of sugar cane, marking a moderate decrease of 5.6% compared to 2020. Over the entire 2018-2021 period, production fell by 10.9%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 3.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(0.3%)	(5.3%)	(5.6%)	(3.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports sugar cane from South Africa

Exports in kind, kg

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2021 and peaked in 2020, with a 42-fold difference between these years. In 2021, South Africa exported 2 022 kilograms of sugar cane, representing a sharp 97.6% drop from the previous year. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2020 at 85 438 kilograms, which also saw the largest increase of 2,376.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, kg

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(14.3%)	2 376.9%	(97.6%)	(20.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Lesotho was the dominant destination for South Africa's sugar cane exports in kind, accounting for 81.3% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among several smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Export volumes in value terms hit their low in 2019 and peaked in 2020, varying by 29 times between these years. In 2021, South Africa's sugar cane exports amounted to 18 006 US dollars, corresponding to an abrupt decline of 78.4% year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 912 US dollars, while the maximum was in 2020 at 83 257 US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2020, reaching 2,758.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021, $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(72.0%)	2 758.7%	(78.4%)	20.1%

Source: SHEV.io

During the 2018-2021 period, Pakistan (30.7% of exports in value terms), Zimbabwe (28.2%), and Lesotho (25.9%) continued to lead as the top buyers of sugar cane from South Africa. Together, these three countries accounted for 84.7% of total exports in value terms.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports sugar cane to South Africa

Imports in kind, kg

The data reveals noticeable fluctuations in market performance. Import volumes in kind reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2021, with a 1,205-fold difference between these years. In 2021, South Africa imported 1 205 kilograms of sugar cane, representing a steep decrease of 83.3% compared to 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, kg

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(83.3%)	n/a	n/a	485.5%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Malawi served as the main source for sugar cane imports to South Africa, consistently absorbing 98.0% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, $ US

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import values in money terms hit their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 21-fold amplitude between these years. In 2021, South Africa imported sugar cane worth 1,970.6% more than the previous year, though the specific dollar value isn't provided in the original text.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021, $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1 970.6%	n/a	n/a	25.6%

Source: SHEV.io

Over the 2018-2021 period, Tanzania was the dominant market for South Africa's sugar cane imports in value terms, taking 87.4% of total flows. Other countries together accounted for the remaining share.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io