Sugar Crop Market

The global sugar crop market is projected to grow steadily over the next eight years, with an expected increase in both volume and value terms. Brazil, India, and China are the top consumers, with sugar cane being the most consumed product. Production and exports are also showing positive trends. Import prices are on the rise, especially for carob. Overall, the market is expected to see continued growth and stability in the near future.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for sugar crops worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +7.0% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 3,732M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +9.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $10,237.8B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Sugar Crop

Global sugar crop consumption stood at 2,179M tons in 2022, surging by 2.4% compared with the year before. Overall, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the consumption volume increased by 2.6% against the previous year. Global consumption peaked at 2,233M tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

The global sugar crop market revenue totaled $5,103.9B in 2022, approximately equating the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the global market reached the maximum level at $5,823.8B in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were Brazil (724M tons), India (439M tons) and China (114M tons), together comprising 59% of global consumption. Thailand, Pakistan, the United States, Mexico, Russia and Colombia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 17%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Pakistan (with a CAGR of +4.2%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Brazil ($3,771.6B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by Russia ($255.5B). It was followed by India.

In Brazil, the sugar crop market remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Russia (+0.6% per year) and India (+0.9% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of sugar crop per capita consumption was registered in Brazil (3,364 kg per person), followed by Thailand (1,314 kg per person), Colombia (681 kg per person) and Mexico (420 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of sugar crop was estimated at 277 kg per person.

In Brazil, sugar crop per capita consumption remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Thailand (-1.0% per year) and Colombia (-0.6% per year).

Consumption By Type

Sugar cane (1,924M tons) constituted the product with the largest volume of consumption, comprising approx. 88% of total volume. Moreover, sugar cane exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, sugar beet (254M tons), eightfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by chicory (532K tons), with less than 0.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of the volume of sugar cane consumption was relatively modest. With regard to the other consumed products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: sugar beet (-0.4% per year) and chicory (+2.0% per year).

In value terms, sugar cane ($4,446.8B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by sugar beet ($655B). It was followed by chicory.

For sugar cane, market remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. With regard to the other consumed products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: sugar beet (-5.4% per year) and chicory (-0.3% per year).

Production

World Production of Sugar Crop

In 2022, the amount of sugar crops produced worldwide was estimated at 2,177M tons, picking up by 2.4% compared with 2021. In general, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 2.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production attained the maximum volume at 2,231M tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum. The general positive trend in terms output was largely conditioned by a relatively flat trend pattern of the harvested area and a relatively flat trend pattern in yield figures.

In value terms, sugar crop production dropped modestly to $1,991.4B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 1,962%. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at $20,929.4B in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Brazil (724M tons), India (439M tons) and China (112M tons), with a combined 59% share of global production. Thailand, Pakistan, the United States, Mexico, Russia and Colombia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 17%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by Pakistan (with a CAGR of +4.2%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production By Type

Sugar cane (1,922M tons) constituted the product with the largest volume of production, accounting for 88% of total volume. Moreover, sugar cane exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, sugar beet (254M tons), eightfold. Chicory (536K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with less than 0.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of the volume of sugar cane production was relatively modest. For the other products, the average annual rates were as follows: sugar beet (-0.4% per year) and chicory (+2.0% per year).

In value terms, sugar cane ($1,849.9B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by sugar beet ($139.4B). It was followed by chicory.

For sugar cane, production increased at an average annual rate of +9.4% over the period from 2012-2022. For the other products, the average annual rates were as follows: sugar beet (-26.0% per year) and chicory (-10.7% per year).

Yield

The global average sugar crop yield was estimated at 72 tons per ha in 2022, growing by 2.1% against the year before. Overall, the yield showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 2.4%. Over the period under review, the average sugar crop yield hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Harvested Area

In 2022, the global sugar crop harvested area totaled 30M ha, remaining stable against 2021. In general, the harvested area, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the harvested area increased by 1.1%. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of 31M ha. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the global sugar crop harvested area remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports

World Imports of Sugar Crop

In 2022, supplies from abroad of sugar crops increased by 19% to 3.2M tons, rising for the sixth year in a row after two years of decline. In general, imports recorded a buoyant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 27% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, sugar crop imports soared to $329M in 2022. Over the period under review, imports posted a remarkable increase. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

China was the largest importer of sugar crops in the world, with the volume of imports accounting for 2.2M tons, which was approx. 67% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Switzerland (365K tons) and the Czech Republic (322K tons), together achieving a 21% share of total imports. Croatia (81K tons) and Germany (68K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to sugar crop imports into China stood at +10.1%. At the same time, Switzerland (+29.1%) and the Czech Republic (+11.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Switzerland emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +29.1% from 2012-2022. Germany experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Croatia (-3.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of China (+17 p.p.), Switzerland (+9.7 p.p.) and the Czech Republic (+3.4 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global imports from 2012-2022, the share of Germany (-2.3 p.p.) and Croatia (-4.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, the largest sugar crop importing markets worldwide were China ($130M), Switzerland ($73M) and the Czech Republic ($14M), together accounting for 66% of global imports.

Switzerland, with a CAGR of +25.3%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports By Type

In 2022, sugar cane (2.2M tons) was the largest type of sugar crops, committing 68% of total imports. It was distantly followed by sugar beet (956K tons), committing a 30% share of total imports. Carob (57K tons) took a minor share of total imports.

Sugar cane was also the fastest-growing in terms of imports, with a CAGR of +9.7% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, carob (+6.5%) and sugar beet (+2.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Sugar cane (+15 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while sugar beet saw its share reduced by -14.8% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other products remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, sugar cane ($145M), carob ($92M) and sugar beet ($77M) constituted the products with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 95% of global imports.

Carob, with a CAGR of +15.9%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main imported products over the period under review, while purchases for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Type

The average sugar crop import price stood at $103 per ton in 2022, growing by 5.7% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the average import price increased by 7.9%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum at $106 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was carob ($1,628 per ton), while the price for sugar cane ($67 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by carob (+8.8%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average sugar crop import price stood at $103 per ton in 2022, increasing by 5.7% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 7.9%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $106 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Switzerland ($200 per ton), while Croatia ($36 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (-0.2%), while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Exports

World Exports of Sugar Crop

After two years of growth, overseas shipments of sugar crops decreased by -3.5% to 1.2M tons in 2022. Overall, total exports indicated a pronounced expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +55.2% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 53% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at 1.3M tons in 2021, and then fell modestly in the following year.

In value terms, sugar crop exports declined to $381M in 2022. In general, exports, however, enjoyed a buoyant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 64% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $430M, and then reduced in the following year.

Exports By Country

In 2022, Germany (419K tons), distantly followed by Myanmar (249K tons), Belgium (122K tons), Slovakia (107K tons), Hungary (77K tons) and Lao People's Democratic Republic (73K tons) were the largest exporters of sugar crops, together generating 84% of total exports. Poland (29K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Myanmar (with a CAGR of +104.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Lao People's Democratic Republic ($63M) remains the largest sugar crop supplier worldwide, comprising 17% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($23M), with a 6% share of global exports. It was followed by Myanmar, with a 4.6% share.

In Lao People's Democratic Republic, sugar crop exports increased at an average annual rate of +16.8% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (+17.9% per year) and Myanmar (+78.1% per year).

Exports By Type

Sugar beet was the key exported product with an export of about 819K tons, which resulted at 66% of total exports. Sugar cane (346K tons) took the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by carob (61K tons). All these products together held approx. 33% share of total exports.

Sugar beet experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports. At the same time, sugar cane (+26.1%) and carob (+5.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, sugar cane emerged as the fastest-growing type exported in the world, with a CAGR of +26.1% from 2012-2022. While the share of sugar cane (+24 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global exports from 2012-2022, the share of sugar beet (-24.7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other products remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, carob ($199M) remains the largest type of sugar crops supplied worldwide, comprising 52% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by sugar cane ($93M), with a 24% share of global exports. It was followed by sugar beet, with an 18% share.

For carob, exports expanded at an average annual rate of +26.6% over the period from 2012-2022. With regard to the other exported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: sugar cane (+17.6% per year) and sugar beet (-0.8% per year).

Export Prices By Type

The average sugar crop export price stood at $307 per ton in 2022, falling by -8.1% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, enjoyed strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 an increase of 42% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $334 per ton in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was carob ($3,246 per ton), while the average price for exports of sugar beet ($86 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by carob (+20.3%), while the other products experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average sugar crop export price amounted to $307 per ton, waning by -8.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed prominent growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 an increase of 42% against the previous year. The global export price peaked at $334 per ton in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Lao People's Democratic Republic ($869 per ton), while Germany ($54 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Hungary (+6.6%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform