Sugar Semi-Annual Report, South Africa – 30th September 2020

Post estimates that the sugar cane crop will decrease by less than 1 percent to 19.1 million MT in the 2020/21 MY, based on frost and fire damage in some growing areas, some growers diversifying to more profitable crops, and lower replanting levels. Sugar production is estimated to decrease by 3 percent to 2.2 million MT in the 2020/21 MY, due to the decrease in cane quality and volume delivered to the mills, and lower mill efficiencies. However, domestic sugar consumption is estimated to increase by 4 percent to 1.7 million MT in the 2020/21 MY, based on the surge in demand during the national lockdown from consumers stuck at home resulting in an increase in activities such as cooking and home baking. Sugar exports are estimated to decrease by 15 percent to 1.2 million MT in the 2020/21 MY, based on the decline in demand due to the impact of COVID-19 and decrease in production. South Africa is expected to fully utilize the United States Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) allocation in the 2020/21 MY.