Sugar cane market in South-eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

Sugar cane production in South-eastern Asia began the period at 221.2 million tons in 2018, a level supported by the adoption of high-yield seed varieties and improved irrigation technology by key regional producers like Vietnam's Lasuco. Output then experienced a marked contraction, falling to 153.8 million tons by 2020. A partial recovery followed, with production rising to 172.2 million tons in 2022, a year which saw the implementation of enhanced nutrition labeling rules in Malaysia requiring disclosure of total sugar content on packaged goods.

The market stabilized around 172 million tons in 2023. Consumption in Malaysia received a seasonal boost from high demand during cultural festivals, while a severe drought in Thailand constrained supply from a major regional producer. Concurrently, Vietnamese sugar cane businesses adjusted their commercial strategies to manage inventory and cash flow, contributing to stable regional output.

Production sugar cane in South-eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, M t

Top producers of sugar cane, 2017-2020

World map of production of sugar cane, 2017-2020

Sugar cane production in South-eastern Asia declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 153.8 million tonnes of sugar cane, which represents a 26.9% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 15.3%, averaging an annual decline of 5.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 221.2 million tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 21.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, M t

Exports sugar cane from South-eastern Asia

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed significant volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 748 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 120 627 tonnes, resulting in a 161-fold difference between these years. In 2020, foreign sugar cane supplies from South-eastern Asia amounted to 81 717 tonnes, marking a substantial increase of 10,824.0% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 99.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, China remained the primary buyer of sugar cane from South-eastern Asia, accounting for 84.8% of total exports in kind.

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

World map of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Export volumes in value terms reached their minimum in 2019 at 4 236 thousand US dollars, while the peak was in 2018 at 17 284 thousand US dollars, with the maximum being 4.1 times higher than the minimum. In 2020, South-eastern Asia's sugar cane export volume stood at 13 678 thousand US dollars, which is 222.9% more than in 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 75.5%.

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

During 2017–2020, the export structure in value terms was dominated by China, which absorbed 73.2% of total flows, alongside numerous minor partners.

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

World map of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports sugar cane to South-eastern Asia

Imports in kind, t

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations over the period. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 78 tonnes, while the highest was in 2020 at 5 012 tonnes, creating a peak-to-trough ratio of 64 times. In 2020, South-eastern Asia's volume of sugar cane imports totalled 5 012 tonnes, up by 3,928.3% from the year before. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 11.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the main share of sugar cane imports in kind to South-eastern Asia came from China, which accounted for 1.0% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, South-eastern Asia's sugar cane imports reached 5 663 thousand US dollars, representing a 25.8% decrease year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 8.2%, averaging an annual decline of 2.8%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 7 633 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 24.0%.

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

During 2017–2020, China played the leading role in sugar cane imports in value terms to South-eastern Asia, with a share of 1.7% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020