SADC: Sugar Beet Market 2025

Sugar Beet Market Size in SADC

In 2022, the SADC sugar beet market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, consumption enjoyed a slight expansion. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Sugar Beet Production in SADC

In value terms, sugar beet production shrank slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a mild expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +5.1% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the production volume increased by 54%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

South Africa (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of sugar beet production, accounting for 89% of total volume. Moreover, sugar beet production in South Africa exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Botswana (X tons), tenfold.

In South Africa, sugar beet production expanded at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Botswana (0.0% per year) and Namibia (+1.1% per year).

Sugar Beet Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2022, overseas shipments of sugar beet decreased by -89% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. In general, exports saw a deep reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 10,691% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons, and then contracted notably in the following year.

In value terms, sugar beet exports shrank rapidly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports recorded a abrupt decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 5,196% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X, and then contracted notably in the following year.

Exports by Country

Botswana prevails in exports structure, recording X tons, which was approx. 96% of total exports in 2022. Zambia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Botswana experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of sugar beet. At the same time, Zambia (+74.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Zambia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +74.2% from 2012-2022. While the share of Botswana (+96 p.p.) and Zambia (+3.6 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Botswana ($X) emerged as the largest sugar beet supplier in SADC, comprising 97% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Zambia ($X), with a 3.2% share of total exports.

In Botswana, sugar beet exports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, waning by -22.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a abrupt shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the export price increased by 53% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Botswana ($X per ton), while Zambia stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Zambia (-13.8%).

Sugar Beet Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas purchases of sugar beet, when their volume decreased by -23.1% to X tons. Overall, imports showed a abrupt slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 34% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sugar beet imports declined dramatically to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports showed a pronounced setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 28% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Swaziland represented the largest importing country with an import of around X tons, which accounted for 61% of total imports. Namibia (X tons) took a 23% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Botswana (9.1%). Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to sugar beet imports into Swaziland stood at -1.8%. At the same time, Botswana (+15.2%) and Namibia (+5.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Botswana emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +15.2% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Democratic Republic of the Congo (-15.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Swaziland, Namibia and Botswana increased by +41, +20 and +8.5 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Swaziland ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported sugar beet in SADC, comprising 65% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Botswana ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a 9.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Swaziland totaled +6.0%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Botswana (+21.0% per year) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (-7.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -8.3% against the previous year. Import price indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +8.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, sugar beet import price decreased by -28.1% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the import price increased by 121% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per ton), while Namibia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Democratic Republic of the Congo (+9.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform