Casablanca – Morocco imported approximately 1.2 million tonnes of raw sugar from Brazil between January and October 2026, spending $413.8 million on the shipments, as the country continued to rely on international suppliers to meet part of its domestic demand. Although the volume purchased increased compared with the previous year, the overall import bill declined, reflecting a significant reduction in international sugar prices.

The latest figures highlight two developments in Morocco’s sugar market: the growing volume of purchases from Brazil and the financial advantage generated by lower prices on international markets. They also raise broader questions about the country’s ability to balance imports with domestic agricultural production, particularly as water scarcity continues to affect farming conditions.

Data covering the first 10 months of 2026 show that Morocco’s purchases of Brazilian raw sugar increased by approximately 7% compared with the same period in 2025. However, the value of these imports fell by 10.3%, from $461.38 million to $413.8 million.

This difference between the evolution of volumes and expenditure is largely explained by the decline in the average price paid per tonne. The reported price dropped from $409.90 in the first 10 months of 2025 to $343.68 during the corresponding period in 2026, representing a decrease of 16.2%.

As a result, Morocco purchased approximately 78,000 additional tonnes of Brazilian sugar while reducing its expenditure by around $47.58 million. The figures illustrate how changes in international commodity prices can significantly affect the country’s import bill, even when purchasing volumes continue to rise.

Brazil strengthens its position as a major supplier

Brazil remains one of the world’s largest sugar producers and exporters, benefiting from extensive sugar cane cultivation and an established processing and maritime transportation network. Its position in Morocco’s supply structure is reflected in the concentration of shipments originating from a relatively small number of Brazilian ports and production regions.

During the first 10 months of 2026, the Port of Santos accounted for approximately 92.8% of the sugar shipped from Brazil to Morocco, representing around 1.12 million tonnes. This concentration highlights the importance of Santos as the principal maritime departure point for Brazilian sugar destined for the Moroccan market.

The state of São Paulo was also the leading regional supplier, providing more than 774,000 tonnes, equivalent to approximately 64.3% of Morocco’s total imports from Brazil.

All the shipments recorded during the period consisted of raw sugar extracted from sugar cane and were transported by sea. The product is intended for subsequent refining and processing before being distributed to consumers or supplied to companies operating in the food-processing sector.

The importance of Brazilian supplies reflects the structure of Morocco’s sugar market, where domestic production and imports contribute to meeting national consumption requirements. Imported raw sugar provides an additional source of supply for local refining operations, while international purchases allow operators to adjust procurement according to prices, availability and domestic production conditions.

The growing volume of Brazilian sugar imports also demonstrates the importance of maintaining diversified commercial relationships with international suppliers. However, the concentration of shipments through a limited number of ports and producing regions makes supply-chain logistics an important consideration for Moroccan importers.

Imports concentrated in the second half of the year

The monthly distribution of imports reveals a significant concentration of Brazilian sugar deliveries between July and October.

July was the busiest month, with 268,594 tonnes imported at a value of $90.49 million. October followed with 219,327 tonnes, while September recorded 194,458 tonnes and August 159,097 tonnes.

Together, these four months accounted for more than 841,000 tonnes, representing approximately 70% of all Brazilian sugar imported by Morocco between January and October.

This concentration suggests that purchasing and delivery schedules can vary considerably throughout the year. Importers may adjust their orders according to international market conditions, shipping availability, refining requirements and expectations regarding future prices.

October figures provide a further indication of the relationship between import volumes and international prices. Moroccan purchases from Brazil increased by 9.2% compared with October 2025, while their total value declined by 4.2%. The average price per tonne stood at approximately $343.

The monthly figures therefore followed the broader trend observed throughout the first 10 months of the year: higher quantities were purchased at lower average prices.

For Moroccan operators, this development can reduce the cost of acquiring raw materials and potentially improve the financial conditions under which refining activities are carried out. However, the final effect depends on other expenses associated with importing, processing, distributing and selling sugar.

Domestic production faces agricultural constraints

Despite the importance of international supplies, Morocco maintains a domestic sugar production sector based on sugar beet and sugar cane cultivation. These crops form part of the country’s agricultural and food-processing activities, providing raw materials for local processing facilities and contributing to rural economic activity.

However, domestic production is influenced by several structural constraints, particularly water availability, agricultural productivity and the cost of inputs.

Water scarcity has become an increasingly important factor in agricultural planning. Although recent improvements in rainfall and dam reserves have supported the recovery of national water resources, the availability of water remains uneven across regions and river basins.

Morocco has experienced several consecutive years of drought, placing pressure on agricultural production and increasing the importance of efficient water management. These conditions have implications for crops that require regular irrigation and can influence decisions concerning cultivated areas and production volumes.

The government consequently faces the challenge of maintaining agricultural output while limiting pressure on water resources. Increasing domestic sugar production could reduce dependence on foreign supplies, but such an approach would require improvements in irrigation efficiency, crop productivity and the management of agricultural land.

The relationship between sugar production and water consumption is particularly relevant because agricultural water must be allocated among different crops and competing economic activities. Expanding sugar beet or sugar cane cultivation without considering local water conditions could create additional pressure on already constrained resources.

This makes the question of domestic sugar production more complex than simply comparing the cost of locally produced sugar with imported alternatives.

A sustainable strategy would need to consider the economic value of domestic production, its contribution to employment and rural incomes, the availability of water and the cost of maintaining a reliable supply throughout the year.

Lower import costs do not automatically mean cheaper sugar

The decline in international prices has reduced the amount Moroccan importers paid for Brazilian raw sugar. Nevertheless, this development does not necessarily translate into an immediate or proportional reduction in retail prices.

Raw sugar must undergo refining before it can be distributed for many commercial and industrial uses. The final cost also includes maritime transportation, port handling, storage, processing, packaging and domestic distribution.

Changes in these expenses can influence the extent to which international price reductions are reflected in the domestic market.

The structure of Morocco’s sugar market and the mechanisms governing domestic prices also play a role. Consequently, a lower import price can improve the financial position of importing and refining operators without necessarily producing an equivalent reduction in the amount paid by households.

For food-processing companies, sugar is an important input used in the production of beverages, confectionery, bakery products and other processed foods. Changes in procurement costs can therefore influence operating expenses across several segments of the food sector.

However, the transmission of lower raw material prices to final product prices depends on competition, commercial agreements, inventories and the timing of purchases.

Importers that acquired sugar at higher prices before the international decline may continue to hold stocks purchased under different market conditions. This can delay the effect of cheaper supplies on domestic selling prices.

Food security and exposure to international markets

Morocco’s increased reliance on Brazilian sugar comes amid broader discussions about the country’s food security and exposure to fluctuations in international commodity markets.

Importing agricultural products allows the country to complement domestic production and respond to variations in local supply. It can also provide access to competitive prices when international markets offer favourable conditions.

However, reliance on foreign suppliers exposes the domestic market to external developments, including changes in global production, weather conditions in exporting countries, transportation costs, currency movements and trade restrictions.

Brazil’s importance as a supplier is particularly significant because its agricultural production is influenced by weather conditions and the allocation of sugar cane between sugar manufacturing and ethanol production. Changes in these factors can affect the quantity of sugar available for export and influence international prices.

For Morocco, maintaining access to several sources of supply can help reduce the risks associated with excessive dependence on a single exporting country or logistical route.

The evolution of the domestic agricultural sector is equally important. Improving productivity and water efficiency could strengthen local supply capacity, while imports would continue to provide flexibility when domestic production is insufficient or international prices are more competitive.

The latest figures also underline the importance of monitoring the relationship between global prices and domestic procurement costs. A reduction in international prices can generate immediate savings for importers, but a reversal in market conditions could increase the country’s import expenditure even if the volume purchased remains unchanged.

A balance between imports and local production

Morocco’s sugar market is therefore shaped by two complementary requirements: securing sufficient supplies for consumers and food-processing companies while managing the economic and environmental costs of domestic production.

The 2026 figures show that the country has benefited from lower international prices while increasing the volume of raw sugar purchased from Brazil. The reduction of approximately $47.58 million in expenditure compared with the first 10 months of 2025 represents a significant improvement in the cost of these imports.

Nevertheless, the increase in imported quantities also confirms the importance of foreign suppliers in meeting national requirements.

The longer-term challenge will be to determine how much of Morocco’s sugar demand can be covered through competitive and sustainable domestic production and how much should continue to be sourced internationally.

That balance will depend on agricultural performance, water availability, refining capacity, international prices and the ability of importers to maintain reliable supply arrangements.

The latest trade figures do not, on their own, establish a structural decline in domestic sugar production or a permanent shift towards Brazilian suppliers. They nevertheless provide a clear indication of the growing importance of Brazilian raw sugar in Morocco’s import flows and the financial benefits that can arise when international prices fall.

For policymakers and market operators, the central issue is therefore broader than the price of imported sugar. It concerns the long-term resilience of the national supply system, the sustainability of agricultural production and the capacity to ensure stable access to an essential food product without placing excessive pressure on the country’s natural resources.