Beet pulp and sugar-manufacture waste market in Czechia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Czech market for beet pulp and sugar-manufacture waste saw notable shifts in volume. In 2018, market size stood at 38.1 thousand tonnes, supported by gradual increases in sugar beet yields and improved cultivation technology, which raised sugar output per hectare and consequently the production of processing waste. The following year, the market contracted to 34.1 thousand tonnes as reduced beet acreage and drought conditions lowered the beet harvest, curtailing the supply of by-products. The abolition of EU sugar production quotas also introduced market liberalization, adding uncertainty. By 2020, the market recovered to 35.8 thousand tonnes even though sugar beet prices remained below production costs and expenses for energy, fertilizers, and seeds climbed.

After 2020, production figures are unavailable, but trade flows show pronounced movements. Imports dropped sharply from 11.2 thousand tonnes in 2021 to just 0.1 thousand tonnes in 2023‑2024, before surging to 29.4 thousand tonnes in 2025. Exports stayed elevated, exceeding 94 thousand tonnes each year and peaking at 116.3 thousand tonnes in 2022. During this period, the Czech Competition Authority launched a sector inquiry into waste management in 2022, which could affect the handling of sugar‑industry by‑products. Steep rises in energy, fertilizer, and seed prices continued to pressure costs across the sugar sector.

Production beet pulp and sugar-manufacture waste in Czechia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

In 2020, Czechia produced 108.6 K t of beet pulp and sugar-manufacture waste, marking a 1.7% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2020, production fell by 10.9%, with an average annual decline of 3.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 106.8 K t, which also saw the sharpest drop of 12.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Czechia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports beet pulp and sugar-manufacture waste from Czechia

Exports in kind, K t

Czechia's exports of beet pulp and sugar-manufacture waste have risen for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country exported 109.4 K t, representing a significant jump of 26.8% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 15.5%, with an average annual increase of 4.9%. The export volume hit its lowest point in 2019 at 81.5 K t, which also experienced the largest decline of 13.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Czechia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, the main destinations for Czech exports of beet pulp and sugar-manufacture waste were Slovakia, Germany, and the Netherlands. Slovakia accounted for 27.7% of exports in kind, Germany for 21.6%, and the Netherlands for 20.8%. Together, these three countries made up 70.0% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Czechia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Czechia's cross-border shipments of beet pulp and sugar-manufacture waste have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 14 814 K $ US, up by 33.2% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value rose by 18.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 10 236 K $ US, which also saw the steepest decline of 18.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Czechia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, the largest buyers of beet pulp and sugar-manufacture waste from Czechia in value terms were Germany, the Netherlands, and Austria. Germany accounted for 28.6% of exports in value, the Netherlands for 26.6%, and Austria for 24.3%. Combined, these three countries represented 79.4% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Czechia in value, 2018-2021

Imports beet pulp and sugar-manufacture waste to Czechia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2021, Czechia imported 11.2 K t of beet pulp and sugar-manufacture waste, showing a substantial decrease of 16.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 3.8%, with an average annual rise of 1.2%. The import volume was at its lowest in 2019 at 8.9 K t, which also recorded the largest decline of 18.0%. In contrast, imports peaked in 2020 at 13.4 K t, marking the highest increase of 51.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Czechia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Poland dominated Czech imports of beet pulp and sugar-manufacture waste in kind, accounting for 87.4% of total imports. The remaining imports were spread across a diverse group of smaller countries.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Czechia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Czechia's imports of beet pulp and sugar-manufacture waste have declined for the third year in a row. In 2021, imports amounted to 140 K $ US, down by 45.6% from the prior year. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value fell by 62.3%, with an average annual decrease of 27.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Czechia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

During 2018-2021, the primary suppliers of beet pulp and sugar-manufacture waste to Czechia in value terms were Poland, Austria, and Hungary. Poland accounted for 22.2% of imports in value, Austria for 20.3%, and Hungary for 19.9%. Together, these three countries made up 62.4% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Czechia in value, 2018-2021