Sugars Market

The article discusses the increasing demand for sugars, sugar ethers and salts globally, with market performance expected to grow at a steady rate. Key points include consumption trends, market size and value projections, production volumes, import and export trends, as well as average prices. The highest consuming and producing countries are identified, along with per capita consumption figures. Overall, the sugars market is projected to see continued growth in the coming years.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for sugars, sugar ethers and salts worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.5% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 1.2M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.4% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $11B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Sugars, Sugar Ethers And Salts

In 2022, the amount of sugars, sugar ethers and salts consumed worldwide expanded slightly to 1M tons, increasing by 1.8% on the year before. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 9.3%. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

The global sugars market size rose to $8.4B in 2022, growing by 4.2% against 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). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the global market reached the maximum level in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (208K tons), the United States (133K tons) and India (92K tons), with a combined 42% share of global consumption.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by the United States (with a CAGR of +13.1%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, India ($1.4B), the United States ($989M) and China ($620M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, together comprising 36% of the global market.

In terms of the main consuming countries, the United States, with a CAGR of +17.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the highest levels of sugars per capita consumption was registered in Finland (3,291 kg per 1000 persons), followed by Spain (398 kg per 1000 persons), the United States (395 kg per 1000 persons) and Japan (393 kg per 1000 persons), while the world average per capita consumption of sugars was estimated at 130 kg per 1000 persons.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the sugars per capita consumption in Finland amounted to +9.1%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: Spain (+3.7% per year) and the United States (+12.3% per year).

Production

World Production of Sugars, Sugar Ethers And Salts

In 2022, the amount of sugars, sugar ethers and salts produced worldwide declined modestly to 994K tons, remaining constant against the previous year. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 7.5%. As a result, production attained the peak volume of 998K tons. From 2020 to 2022, global production growth failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sugars production rose slightly to $7.1B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, the total production indicated a moderate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -10.2% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the production volume increased by 20% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $8B. From 2020 to 2022, global production growth failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

China (270K tons) remains the largest sugars producing country worldwide, accounting for 27% of total volume. Moreover, sugars production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (108K tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Germany (93K tons), with a 9.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in China stood at +5.1%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: the United States (+20.6% per year) and Germany (-0.3% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Sugars, Sugar Ethers And Salts

In 2022, global imports of sugars, sugar ethers and salts totaled 382K tons, growing by 11% on the previous year's figure. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 14% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, sugars imports amounted to $1.6B in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +83.7% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

In 2022, Japan (63K tons) and the United States (47K tons) were the major importers of sugars, sugar ethers and saltsaround the world, together resulting at near 29% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Spain (21K tons), mixing up a 5.5% share of total imports. Finland (17K tons), Poland (16K tons), Belgium (15K tons), Italy (14K tons), the Netherlands (12K tons), Canada (11K tons), South Korea (10K tons), India (10K tons), France (10K tons) and Brazil (9.6K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Belgium (with a CAGR of +13.1%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($265M) constitutes the largest market for imported sugars, sugar ethers and salts worldwide, comprising 17% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Japan ($102M), with a 6.5% share of global imports. It was followed by Finland, with a 4.8% share.

In the United States, sugars imports expanded at an average annual rate of +7.6% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Japan (-1.4% per year) and Finland (+8.5% per year).

Import Prices By Country

The average sugars import price stood at $4,124 per ton in 2022, reducing by -1.7% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.6%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the average import price increased by 18%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $4,195 per ton in 2021, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($5,625 per ton), while Japan ($1,606 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+5.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Sugars, Sugar Ethers And Salts

In 2022, the amount of sugars, sugar ethers and salts exported worldwide stood at 354K tons, increasing by 4.1% against the previous year's figure. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 11%. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, sugars exports expanded slightly to $1.5B in 2022. Overall, total exports indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.6% 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 +91.6% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

Exports By Country

Germany (93K tons) and China (70K tons) represented roughly 46% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by France (31K tons), Thailand (29K tons), Austria (27K tons), the United States (23K tons) and Indonesia (16K tons), together making up a 35% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for China (with a CAGR of +10.2%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($228M), Germany ($227M) and the United States ($192M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together accounting for 42% of global exports.

Among the main exporting countries, China, with a CAGR of +13.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average sugars export price stood at $4,307 per ton in 2022, stabilizing at the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, sugars export price increased by +69.2% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the average export price increased by 21% against the previous year. The global export price peaked at $4,354 per ton in 2021, and then contracted slightly 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 the United States ($8,494 per ton), while Thailand ($1,047 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+5.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform