Raw sugar production in South Africa
In 2023 South Africa produced 2.1 million t of raw sugar, the 17th largest in the world (1.11% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 15%. The record was 2.9 million t in 1997.
- Production, 2023
- 2.1 million t
- World rank
- 17 of 121
- 10-year change
- −15%
- Record
- 2.9 million t
- 1997
Raw sugar in South Africa, 1961–2023 (tonnes)
South Africa compared with the world, 2023
- Share of world total
- 1.1%
- 1.4% in 2013
- 10-year change
- −15%
- world +4.4%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Guatemala | 2,548,296 | 1.4% |
| 16 | Indonesia | 2,271,009 | 1.2% |
| 17 | South Africa | 2,075,000 | 1.1% |
| 18 | Philippines | 2,000,000 | 1.1% |
| 19 | Colombia | 1,957,103 | 1.0% |
Map of world production of raw sugar
Share of the world total; South Africa is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2,075,000 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | 2,042,000 | +7.1% |
| 2021 | 1,906,000 | −9.5% |
| 2020 | 2,106,000 | −8.2% |
| 2019 | 2,295,000 | +1.6% |
| 2018 | 2,258,000 | +9.4% |
| 2017 | 2,064,000 | +28% |
| 2016 | 1,607,000 | −4.6% |
| 2015 | 1,684,000 | −23% |
| 2014 | 2,192,000 | −10.0% |
| 2013 | 2,435,000 | +34% |
| 2012 | 1,822,000 | −7.1% |
| 2011 | 1,961,000 | −10% |
| 2010 | 2,187,542 | −3.6% |
| 2009 | 2,269,000 | −0.5% |
| 2008 | 2,281,000 | +2.1% |
| 2007 | 2,235,000 | −4.4% |
| 2006 | 2,337,903 | −6.8% |
| 2005 | 2,507,415 | +12% |
| 2004 | 2,234,300 | −12% |
| 2003 | 2,545,800 | −3.1% |
| 2002 | 2,626,000 | +4.9% |
| 2001 | 2,504,000 | −8.2% |
| 2000 | 2,729,000 | +7.6% |
| 1999 | 2,536,000 | −4.2% |
| 1998 | 2,646,000 | −9.2% |
| 1997 | 2,914,000 | +28% |
| 1996 | 2,269,000 | +36% |
| 1995 | 1,666,916 | −0.1% |
| 1994 | 1,667,920 | +42% |
| 1993 | 1,171,820 | −22% |
| 1992 | 1,508,300 | −34% |
| 1991 | 2,289,000 | +13% |
| 1990 | 2,028,000 | −5.1% |
| 1989 | 2,137,000 | −13% |
| 1988 | 2,469,000 | +10% |
| 1987 | 2,235,000 | −0.6% |
| 1986 | 2,248,000 | −1.4% |
| 1985 | 2,280,000 | −11% |
| 1984 | 2,560,000 | +71% |
| 1983 | 1,495,000 | −35% |
| 1982 | 2,304,000 | +3.9% |
| 1981 | 2,218,000 | +28% |
| 1980 | 1,737,000 | −16% |
| 1979 | 2,078,795 | −0.2% |
| 1978 | 2,082,514 | −0.1% |
| 1977 | 2,083,877 | +2.1% |
| 1976 | 2,041,520 | +13% |
| 1975 | 1,801,088 | −4.4% |
| 1974 | 1,883,195 | +8.8% |
| 1973 | 1,731,575 | −9.6% |
| 1972 | 1,914,601 | +2.7% |
| 1971 | 1,864,664 | +33% |
| 1970 | 1,398,872 | −14% |
| 1969 | 1,622,499 | +7.8% |
| 1968 | 1,505,382 | −17% |
| 1967 | 1,822,266 | +12% |
| 1966 | 1,627,581 | +79% |
| 1965 | 909,000 | −28% |
| 1964 | 1,266,000 | +10% |
| 1963 | 1,148,000 | +6.1% |
| 1962 | 1,082,000 | +8.5% |
| 1961 | 997,000 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 465,728 t USD 272 m
- Exporter rank
- 7 of 111
- Imports
- 443,961 t USD 249 m
- Importer rank
- 20 of 183
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 raw sugar in South Africa?
South Africa produced 2.1 million t in 2023, 1.1% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does South Africa rank in the world for production of raw sugar?
South Africa ranked 17th of 121 countries in 2023. The largest producer was Brazil with 22.4% of the world total.
How has the production of raw sugar in South Africa changed?
It fell by 15% between 2013 and 2023, compared with +4.4% for the world. The record was 2.9 million t in 1997.
Does South Africa export or import raw cane or beet sugar (centrifugal only)?
In 2024 South Africa reported exports of 465,728 t (USD 272 m) and imports of 443,961 t (USD 249 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. 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.