Sugar · importers
Malaysia closes the top ten at $1.6B in the sugars and sugar confectionery chapter, and it depends almost entirely on imported raw sugar.
| Market | HS 17 imports |
|---|---|
| United States | $7.2B |
| China | $4.2B |
| Indonesia | $3.6B |
| Germany | $2.6B |
| United Kingdom | $2.2B |
Figures are for the whole of HS chapter 17 (sugars and sugar confectionery); sugar is only part of it. Source: UN Comtrade, as reported by national authorities; latest available year per market.
Italy is above at $1.7B and South Korea below at the same rounded $1.6B. Malaysia’s 2.5% share of reported world imports is virtually tied with South Korea’s. The chapter is 0.5% of its $299.5B imports and ranks 24th among import chapters, a solid position beside electrical machinery at $85.9B and fuels at $49.0B.
Malaysia grows little sugar cane, so refineries import raw sugar in bulk, refine it and sell white sugar at home and to neighbours. That makes the buyer a refiner working to a raw-sugar specification with vessel-sized purchases. A refined-sugar seller faces different competition from a raw-sugar seller, so establish early which one the buyer wants.
Beverage, confectionery and food makers buy refined sugar and sugar-based products separately. Since refiners buy large vessel loads, ask about the port’s draught limits and berth availability, because these can restrict which ship sizes the buyer can accept.
China, Singapore, the USA and Japan lead the overall source list, and Singapore’s presence points to a nearby trading hub. Sugar can be subject to price controls, licensing or duties that the authorities adjust, so confirm the present conditions with them and the buyer.
The $1.6B covers all of chapter 17 and includes confectionery. Re-exports and reporting differences can move a market.
Read the sugar heading in shipment data for receiver names and cargo weights. Once you have a shortlist, settle Incoterm, currency, payment terms and port and approach the companies through this site’s free marketplace.
Tenth of 96 markets at $1.6B in 2024, a 2.5% share of reported world imports.
It grows little cane, so refineries import raw sugar to refine for home and regional sale.
No. Malaysian figures pool sugar with sugar confectionery under one chapter.
Search sugar-heading shipment records and rank consignees by weight.
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