Sugar cane market in Southern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

Sugar cane production and market volume in Southern Asia, which are identical due to negligible trade, demonstrated overall expansion between 2018 and 2023. The total volume increased by 28% over the six-year period, rising from 464 million tons to 594 million tons.

The market path was not linear, featuring a notable contraction in 2020 when output fell by 4.1% to 468 million tons. This decline interrupted the initial growth seen in 2019. However, a strong recovery followed from 2021 onward, with production climbing by 8.9% that year and maintaining robust annual growth rates of 6.6% in 2022 and 9.4% in 2023.

The post-2020 period marked a phase of accelerated expansion, driving the market to new highs. By 2023, annual production was nearly 130 million tons higher than at the start of the period, underscoring the sector's scale and growth momentum.

Production sugar cane in Southern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, M t

Top producers of sugar cane, 2017-2020

World map of production of sugar cane, 2017-2020

Southern Asia's sugar cane production declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 487.8 million tonnes, but by 2020 it had fallen to 467.7 million tonnes, marking a 4.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production overall increased by 15.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.9%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 14.6%.

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

Exports sugar cane from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, t

Sugar cane exports from Southern Asia showed notable fluctuations during this period. In 2017, shipments hit their lowest point, while in 2019 they peaked at 486 tonnes—a 12.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports totaled 170 tonnes, representing a sharp 65.1% decline compared to 2019. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2018, when exports surged by 756.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates were the primary markets for Southern Asia's sugar cane exports in volume terms. Kuwait accounted for 27.3% of exports, Qatar for 20.7%, and the UAE for 9.5%. Together, these three countries represented 57.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Southern Asia's sugar cane exports in value terms experienced a significant downturn. In 2019, exports reached their highest value at 309.6 thousand US dollars, but by 2020 they had fallen to 176.6 thousand US dollars—a dramatic 43.0% year-on-year decrease. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 14.2%, equivalent to an average annual decrease of 5.0%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when export value rose by 52.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Southern Asia's sugar cane exports in value terms were distributed across numerous markets. Qatar accounted for 18.4% of export value, the United Arab Emirates for 12.5%, and Kuwait for 8.1%. Collectively, these three markets represented just 39.0% of total export flows, indicating a relatively diversified market structure.

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

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

Imports sugar cane to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, t

Sugar cane imports into Southern Asia showed substantial volatility during this period. In 2017, import volumes were at their minimum, while in 2019 they peaked at 198 tonnes—a 58-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports totaled 45 tonnes, down 77.2% from the previous year. The most dramatic year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when imports surged by 5 296.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia was the clear leader in Southern Asia's sugar cane imports by volume, accounting for 2.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Southern Asia's sugar cane imports in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 104.6 thousand US dollars, reflecting a steep 26.9% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 46.4%, with an average annual decline of 18.8%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 228.8 thousand US dollars. The largest year-on-year decrease occurred in 2019, when imports dropped by 37.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018, when they rose by 17.2%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that Southern Asia's sugar cane imports in value terms were not concentrated among a few key suppliers. The United Arab Emirates accounted for 10.4% of import value, South Africa for 7.8%, and Thailand for 4.5%. Together, these three countries represented just 22.7% of total import flows, indicating a highly diversified sourcing pattern.

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

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