Molasses production in South Africa
In 2023 South Africa produced 745,271 t of molasses, the 16th largest in the world (1.02% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 10%. The record was 915,000 t in 1998.
The 2023 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Production, 2023
- 745,271 t
- World rank
- 16 of 121
- 10-year change
- −10%
- Record
- 915,000 t
- 1998
Molasses in South Africa, 1961–2023 (tonnes)
South Africa compared with the world, 2023
- Share of world total
- 1.0%
- 1.3% in 2013
- 10-year change
- −10%
- world +16%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Turkey | 788,150 | 1.1% |
| 15 | Germany | 761,017 | 1.0% |
| 16 | South Africa | 745,271 | 1.0% |
| 17 | Ukraine | 689,256 | 0.94% |
| 18 | Iran | 683,376 | 0.93% |
Map of world production of molasses
Share of the world total; South Africa is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 745,271 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | 733,418 | +7.1% |
| 2021 | 684,572 | −25% |
| 2020 | 910,000 | +0.6% |
| 2019 | 905,000 | +0.6% |
| 2018 | 900,000 | +5.9% |
| 2017 | 850,000 | +16% |
| 2016 | 730,000 | +25% |
| 2015 | 585,000 | −22% |
| 2014 | 750,000 | −9.6% |
| 2013 | 830,000 | +12% |
| 2012 | 740,000 | +4.7% |
| 2011 | 707,000 | −1.7% |
| 2010 | 719,000 | −16% |
| 2009 | 851,000 | −3.1% |
| 2008 | 878,000 | −2.4% |
| 2007 | 900,000 | 0.0% |
| 2006 | 900,000 | 0.0% |
| 2005 | 900,000 | +9.1% |
| 2004 | 825,000 | −1.2% |
| 2003 | 835,000 | −7.2% |
| 2002 | 900,000 | 0.0% |
| 2001 | 900,000 | +0.2% |
| 2000 | 898,000 | +4.8% |
| 1999 | 857,000 | −6.3% |
| 1998 | 915,000 | +8.3% |
| 1997 | 845,000 | +1.0% |
| 1996 | 837,000 | +13% |
| 1995 | 743,000 | +2.6% |
| 1994 | 724,391 | +32% |
| 1993 | 549,831 | −18% |
| 1992 | 669,137 | −12% |
| 1991 | 757,000 | +7.5% |
| 1990 | 704,000 | −2.4% |
| 1989 | 721,000 | −16% |
| 1988 | 860,000 | +10% |
| 1987 | 780,000 | −0.6% |
| 1986 | 785,000 | −1.4% |
| 1985 | 796,000 | −6.7% |
| 1984 | 853,218 | +37% |
| 1983 | 622,436 | −23% |
| 1982 | 807,081 | +9.2% |
| 1981 | 738,880 | +20% |
| 1980 | 615,771 | −7.8% |
| 1979 | 667,910 | −0.9% |
| 1978 | 674,004 | −12% |
| 1977 | 762,126 | +4.9% |
| 1976 | 726,310 | +13% |
| 1975 | 640,000 | +1.4% |
| 1974 | 631,000 | +7.5% |
| 1973 | 587,000 | −8.3% |
| 1972 | 640,000 | +0.6% |
| 1971 | 636,000 | +38% |
| 1970 | 462,000 | −18% |
| 1969 | 562,000 | +7.9% |
| 1968 | 521,000 | −19% |
| 1967 | 642,000 | +20% |
| 1966 | 536,000 | +68% |
| 1965 | 320,000 | −21% |
| 1964 | 405,000 | +7.4% |
| 1963 | 377,000 | +1.9% |
| 1962 | 370,000 | +15% |
| 1961 | 323,000 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 18,902 t USD 2.6 m
- Exporter rank
- 39 of 109
- Imports
- 79,812 t USD 6.8 m
- Importer rank
- 21 of 154
FAOSTAT detailed trade data, release of 23 July 2026; quantities in tonnes, values in current US dollars; exports include re-exports. World exporters and importers
Questions and answers
What is the production of molasses in South Africa?
South Africa produced 745,271 t in 2023, 1.0% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does South Africa rank in the world for production of molasses?
South Africa ranked 16th of 121 countries in 2023. The largest producer was Brazil with 25.0% of the world total.
How has the production of molasses in South Africa changed?
It fell by 10% between 2013 and 2023, compared with +16% for the world. The record was 915,000 t in 1998.
Does South Africa export or import molasses?
In 2024 South Africa reported exports of 18,902 t (USD 2.6 m) and imports of 79,812 t (USD 6.8 m), according to FAOSTAT trade data.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; the 2023 figure for South Africa is imputed by FAO. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.