SADC: Sugar Market 2022

Sugar Market Size in SADC

The SADC sugar market contracted modestly to $X in 2021, dropping by -2.1% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, showed a slight decrease. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Sugar Production in SADC

In value terms, sugar production declined to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the production volume increased by 26%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X, and then shrank in the following year.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were Swaziland (X tons), South Africa (X tons) and Zambia (X tons), with a combined 71% share of total production. Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Mauritius and Tanzania lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 23%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Zimbabwe (with a CAGR of +3.5%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Sugar Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2021, overseas shipments of sugar decreased by -3.9% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after three years of growth. Total exports indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -8.3% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when exports increased by 29% against the previous year. 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 amounted to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% 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 23%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Swaziland was the key exporting country with an export of around X tons, which amounted to 42% of total exports. Zambia (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by South Africa (X tons), Zimbabwe (X tons) and Mauritius (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 53% share of total exports. The following exporters - Mozambique (X tons) and Malawi (X tons) - each recorded a 4.4% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Zambia (with a CAGR of +12.1%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest sugar supplier in SADC, comprising 38% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Zambia ($X), with a 19% share of total exports. It was followed by Swaziland, with a 17% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in South Africa stood at +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 SADC amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 8.5% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 9.1% against the previous year. 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.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: 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 SADC

In 2021, imports of sugar in SADC was estimated at X tons, remaining stable against 2020 figures. In general, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 39%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sugar imports totaled $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% over the period 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 2013 with an increase of 24% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

In 2021, South Africa (X tons), distantly followed by Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), Tanzania (X tons), Madagascar (X tons), Angola (X tons), Mauritius (X tons) and Mozambique (X tons) were the major importers of sugar, together committing 87% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Mozambique (with a CAGR of +13.5%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported sugar in SADC, comprising 56% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X), with an 18% share of total imports. It was followed by Tanzania, with a 6.8% share.

In South Africa, sugar imports expanded at an average annual rate of +8.8% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Democratic Republic of the Congo (+9.1% per year) and Tanzania (-2.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 14% against the previous year. Import price indicated a moderate expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, sugar import price increased by +64.4% against 2015 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the import price increased by 15%. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

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