Africa: Sugar Market 2022

Sugar Market Size in Africa

In 2021, the African sugar market increased by 6.2% to $X, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Sugar Production in Africa

In value terms, sugar production contracted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 17%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X, and then fell in the following year.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were Egypt (X tons), Swaziland (X tons) and South Africa (X tons), with a combined 50% share of total production. These countries were followed by Zambia, Zimbabwe, Morocco, Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Kenya, Mauritius and Tanzania, which together accounted for a further 40%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Ethiopia (with a CAGR of +8.1%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Sugar Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2021, shipments abroad of sugar decreased by -3.2% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after eight years of growth. Total exports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -6.1% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 27%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sugar exports expanded remarkably to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 20%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Swaziland (X tons) was the main exporter of sugar, creating 33% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Zambia (X tons), South Africa (X tons), Morocco (X tons), Zimbabwe (X tons), Algeria (X tons) and Mauritius (X tons), together comprising a 56% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Morocco (with a CAGR of +64.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest sugar supplier in Africa, comprising 30% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Zambia ($X), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by Swaziland, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in South Africa amounted to +12.2%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Zambia (+11.4% per year) and Swaziland (-1.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, rising by 9.9% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a slight decrease. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while Swaziland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+10.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Sugar Imports

Imports in Africa

For the tenth consecutive year, Africa recorded growth in supplies from abroad of sugar, which increased by 4.2% to X tons in 2021. Total imports indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.2% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +86.8% against 2012 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 13%. The volume of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

In value terms, sugar imports rose markedly to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 17%. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Algeria (X tons), distantly followed by Nigeria (X tons), Egypt (X tons), Morocco (X tons), Ethiopia (X tons) and Sudan (X tons) represented the largest importers of sugar, together comprising 76% of total imports. Somalia (X tons), Djibouti (X tons), South Africa (X tons), Kenya (X tons), Tunisia (X tons) and Ghana (X tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Ethiopia (with a CAGR of +26.7%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest sugar importing markets in Africa were Algeria ($X), Nigeria ($X) and South Africa ($X), with a combined 40% share of total imports. Morocco, Sudan, Ethiopia, Egypt, Somalia, Djibouti, Tunisia, Kenya and Ghana lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 45%.

Ethiopia, with a CAGR of +21.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, surging by 9.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a noticeable setback. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while Egypt ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+11.0%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform