OECD-FAO Outlook Projects Egypt to Strengthen Position as Africa’s Largest Sugar Producer by 2035

The joint OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2026-2035 projects that Egypt will strengthen its position as Africa’s largest sugar producer over the coming decade, with a rising contribution to the continent’s overall sugar output. OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2026-2035

According to the report, Africa’s share of global sugar production is expected to increase, driven mainly by sub-Saharan African countries alongside growing output from Egypt. Government support measures and foreign investments are anticipated to boost production. Sub-Saharan Africa offers agro-ecologically suitable land for sugarcane, while Egypt has potential to expand sugar beet area and improve production efficiency. OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2026-2035 Ecofin Agency

In Egypt specifically, remunerative procurement prices for farmers, adoption of improved seed varieties, and expanded sugar beet processing capacity are projected to drive growth. The Canal Sugar Factory, described as the world’s largest beet sugar production facility, began operations in 2021 with an annual capacity of 900,000 tonnes. These factors are expected to increase Egypt’s sugar beet production by 4.8 million tonnes compared to the base period (around 2023-2025). OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2026-2035 ChiniMandi Cairo Scene

The report notes that increases in global sugar beet production are anticipated mainly in Egypt, Türkiye, the United States and China. Sugarcane will continue to dominate world sugar crop output (over 85%), but beet gains in Egypt contribute to Africa’s rising role. Broader African sugar production growth, including competitive producers in Eastern and Southern Africa, is also expected to help gradually reduce the region’s reliance on sugar imports. OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2026-2035 Ecofin Agency

On the demand side, global sugar consumption is projected to grow by about 1% per year, reaching 199 million tonnes by 2035, largely driven by population growth in Asia and Africa. Africa and Asia are expected to account for virtually all of the increase in global demand. Per capita consumption in sub-Saharan Africa is forecast to rise steadily but remain below levels in higher-income regions. OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2026-2035

Brazil and India are projected to remain the dominant global producers, together accounting for a large share of output. However, the outlook highlights Africa’s expanding contribution, supported by policy measures and investment in countries including Egypt. The report, the 22nd joint edition, assesses ten-year prospects for agricultural commodities using the Aglink-Cosimo model and was released in late June 2026. OECD

Uncertainties include weather-related production risks, shifts in consumer preferences due to health concerns and sugar taxes, and competition between sugar and ethanol uses of sugarcane in major producers. OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2026-2035

Why this is uncovered

This detailed long-term projection appears in a technical joint OECD-FAO agricultural outlook rather than as a short-term market event or political announcement. Mainstream outlets typically prioritise immediate price movements, harvest news or geopolitical stories over decade-ahead commodity forecasts, leaving such primary-source insights largely unreported outside specialised agriculture and regional media.