Export market
World sugar demand
According to the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations), total world sugar imports from 1998/99 to 2001/02
were approximately 36 million tons. World raw sugar imports
in 2000/01 were 35 million tons, a decrease of 5 percent from
37 million tons in the previous year. The world's biggest sugar
importer is Asia, with an import volume of 12 million tons in
2000/01 and 11 million tons in the following year, as a result
of high consumption in this continent. It is estimated that
in 2002/03, the import volume of sugar in Asia will be constant
at 11 million tons. The biggest volume of sugar was imported
to Indonesia between 2000/01 and 2001/02, accounting for 1.5
million tons, and it is predicted that the import volume will
increase slightly to 1.6 million tons in 2002/03.
Table: Total world sugar demand during 2000-03
|
Country
|
Import
(1,000 metric tons)
|
Demestic
consumption
(1,000 metric tons)
|
| Total North America |
|
|
| 2000/01 |
2,672
|
14,978
|
| 2001/02 |
2,504
|
14,928
|
| 2002/03 |
N/A
|
15,014
|
| Total Caribbean |
|
|
| 2000/01 |
306
|
1420
|
| 2001/02 |
271
|
1,424
|
| 2002/03 |
267
|
1,426
|
| Total Central America |
|
|
| 2000/01 |
0
|
1,463
|
| 2001/02 |
0
|
1,525
|
| 2002/03 |
5
|
1,538
|
| Total Western Europe |
|
|
| 2000/01 |
764
|
15,454
|
| 2001/02 |
793
|
15,710
|
| 2002/03 |
674
|
15,923
|
| Total Eastern Europe |
|
|
| 2000/01 |
2,231
|
14,981
|
| 2001/02 |
2,233
|
15,024
|
| 2002/03 |
2,209
|
15,079
|
| Total Africa |
|
|
| 2000/01 |
4,869
|
9,594
|
| 2001/02 |
5,008
|
9,746
|
| 2002/03 |
5,208
|
9,865
|
| Total Middle East |
|
|
| 2000/01 |
6,026
|
9,293
|
| 2001/02 |
5,900
|
9,368
|
| 2002/03 |
6,035
|
9,633
|
| Total Asia, Ocean |
|
|
| 2000/01 |
11,925
|
47,610
|
| 2001/02 |
11,043
|
49,039
|
| 2002/03 |
11,319
|
49,926
|
| World total |
|
|
| 2000/01 |
37,482
|
129,699
|
| 2001/02 |
35,319
|
131,766
|
| 2002/03 |
N/A
|
133,449
|
Source: FAO
China is another big sugar importer, with an increasing import
volume every year. The FAO reports that China imported only
543,000 tons of sugar in 1998/99, but 687,000 tons in 1999/00.
And surprisingly, the import volume jumped to 1.1 million tons
in the following year, as a result of increasing domestic consumption.
Any downward pressure on prices may offer increased incentives
for imports by African, Asian and Middle Eastern nations and
increased shipments to those countries. These regions are important
because imported sugar accounts for a significant portion of
their consumption. Sugar remains a principal source of inexpensive
energy and is attractive when compared to alternative commodities.
Import demand for sugar in African countries, which account
for about 14 percent of world imports, will increase if the
price remains low.
A significant development in the world market in supporting
expanding demand in the short term is the expectation that Russia
will announce an increase in its 2003 sugar import quota from
3.65 to 4 million tons, with the increased quota put to tender
in September 2002.
Total world sugar consumption from 1998/99 to 2001/02 was around
128 million tons. And it is estimated that global consumption
of sugar will reach 133 million tons in 2002/03. Domestic sugar
consumption in Asia from 1998/99 to 2001/02 was approximately
at 47 million tons. Moreover, consumption of sugar in this continent
is increasing each year, accounting for 45, 46, 48 and 49 million
tons in 1998/99, 1999/00, 2000/01 and 2001/02, respectively.
In 2002/03, it is estimated that sugar consumption will increase
to 50 million tons and grow fastest in the Far East, reaching
a forecast growth rate of 3.5 percent in 2003, against a backdrop
of annual GDP growth exceeding 5 percent and a population growth
rate of around 1.5 percent.
The largest consumer of domestic sugar is India, using 17 and
18 million tons in 2000/01 and 2001/02, respectively. Surprisingly,
India did not import any sugar between 2000/01 and 2002/03 because
the country can produce sufficient sugar by itself.
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