• FAO forecasts 10.4 million tons of sugar production across Africa
• Egypt, Kenya, and Morocco to drive nearly 90% of the increase
• Growth defies global trend, with worldwide output expected to fall 4%

Africa’s sugar production is projected to rise to 10.4 million tons by the end of the 2024/2025 agricultural season, according to a June 1 report from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This marks an 8.3% increase from the previous year’s total of 9.4 million tons.

The expected growth is led by Egypt, Kenya, and Morocco, which together account for nearly 90% of the anticipated production increase. Egypt, the continent’s largest sugar producer, is forecast to produce 2.6 million tons—up 8.3% from the previous season—mainly due to expanded sugar beet cultivation. Sugar cane output is expected to remain stable under existing national production policies.

Kenya’s production is projected to rise by 60% to 800,000 tons, supported by a 700,000-ton increase in sugar cane output. The USDA attributes this to an 18% expansion in harvested area, now reaching 190,000 hectares, which has improved supply to processing facilities.

In Morocco, output is set to double to 400,000 tons. Cosumar, the country’s main sugar company, reported doubling sugar beet cultivation to 40,000 hectares during the 2024/2025 season, boosting raw material availability for processing.

While Africa anticipates significant production gains, the global sugar market faces contraction. The FAO projects a nearly 4% drop in global sugar production in 2024/2025, to 175.6 million tons, due largely to underperformance in Asia and South America.