> 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%.

Source: https://husfarm.com/production/molasses/south-africa/

[Home](https://husfarm.com/)›[Production](https://husfarm.com/production/)›[Molasses](https://husfarm.com/production/molasses/)›South AfricaFAOSTAT · 1961–2023

# 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.

[Market prices in South Africa](https://husfarm.com/country/south-africa/)

Production, 2023745,271 t
World rank16 of 121
10-year change−10%
Record915,000 t1998

## Molasses in South Africa, 1961–2023 (tonnes)

## South Africa compared with the world, 2023

Share of world total1.0%1.3% in 2013
10-year change−10%world +16%

### Position in the world ranking

| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 14 | [Turkey](https://husfarm.com/production/molasses/turkey/) | 788,150 | 1.1% |
| 15 | [Germany](https://husfarm.com/production/molasses/germany/) | 761,017 | 1.0% |
| 16 | **South Africa** | 745,271 | 1.0% |
| 17 | [Ukraine](https://husfarm.com/production/molasses/ukraine/) | 689,256 | 0.94% |
| 18 | [Iran](https://husfarm.com/production/molasses/iran/) | 683,376 | 0.93% |

[Full ranking of 121 countries](https://husfarm.com/production/molasses/)

### Map of world production of molasses

under 0.1%0.1–1%1–5%5–15%15% or moreno data
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

Exports18,902 t USD 2.6 m
Exporter rank39 of 109
Imports79,812 t USD 6.8 m
Importer rank21 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](https://husfarm.com/production/molasses/)

## 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

[Brazil](https://husfarm.com/production/molasses/brazil/)[India](https://husfarm.com/production/molasses/india/)[China](https://husfarm.com/production/molasses/china/)[United States](https://husfarm.com/production/molasses/united-states/)[Thailand](https://husfarm.com/production/molasses/thailand/)[Pakistan](https://husfarm.com/production/molasses/pakistan/)[Denmark](https://husfarm.com/production/molasses/denmark/)[Mexico](https://husfarm.com/production/molasses/mexico/)[Egypt](https://husfarm.com/production/molasses/egypt/)[Russia](https://husfarm.com/production/molasses/russia/)[Indonesia](https://husfarm.com/production/molasses/indonesia/)[France](https://husfarm.com/production/molasses/france/)
[All countries producing molasses](https://husfarm.com/production/molasses/)

## Other products of South Africa

[Sugar cane](https://husfarm.com/production/sugar-cane/south-africa/)[Maize](https://husfarm.com/production/maize/south-africa/)[Cow milk](https://husfarm.com/production/cow-milk/south-africa/)[Beer](https://husfarm.com/production/beer/south-africa/)[Potatoes](https://husfarm.com/production/potatoes/south-africa/)[Raw sugar](https://husfarm.com/production/raw-sugar/south-africa/)[Wheat](https://husfarm.com/production/wheat/south-africa/)[Chicken meat](https://husfarm.com/production/chicken-meat/south-africa/)[Grapes](https://husfarm.com/production/grapes/south-africa/)[Soybeans](https://husfarm.com/production/soybeans/south-africa/)[Oranges](https://husfarm.com/production/oranges/south-africa/)[Apples](https://husfarm.com/production/apples/south-africa/)
[Agricultural production in South Africa](https://husfarm.com/production/country/south-africa/)

Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. [fao.org/faostat](https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL). Licence: [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.

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