Molasses market in Denmark

Earlier Report Observations

The Danish molasses market opened the period with a volume of 168.8 thousand tons in 2018, supported by its production as a by-product at Nordic Sugar's two major beet sugar factories. A growing export trend was noted, with the value of molasses exports rising by nearly 30% between 2017 and 2019, indicating strong external demand for Danish production. However, total market volume dipped to 161.9 thousand tons in 2019 and then fell sharply to 108.2 thousand tons in 2020, primarily due to a significant contraction in imports.

Market volume rebounded strongly to 180.6 thousand tons in 2021 and surged to a peak of 247.6 thousand tons in 2022. This period of expansion coincided with the implementation of EU Commission Implementing Regulation 2022/1675 in September 2022, which established new representative prices and import duties for molasses in the sugar sector, likely influencing trade flows in anticipation of and following the new rules.

A major shift occurred in 2023 as the market volume halved to 118.5 thousand tons, directly aligning with reported trade data showing a 39% surge in export value alongside a 52% drop in import value for that year. In 2024, the market recovered to 191.6 thousand tons, driven by a resurgence in domestic production and imports, while exports fell to a minimal level.

Production molasses in Denmark

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Molasses production in Denmark increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, Denmark's molasses output was valued at 13 486 K $ US, marking a controlled year-on-year advance of 7.7%. Between 2018 and 2021, production grew by 25.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 9 925 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 7.7%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2020, with a significant rise of 26.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Denmark in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of molasses, 2018-2021

World map of production of molasses, 2018-2021

After a two-year increase, Denmark's molasses production declined. In 2021, Denmark produced 75 421 t of molasses, representing a year-on-year decrease of 3.4%. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production increased by 24.1%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 7.5%. The highest output was recorded in 2020 at 78 071 t, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a notable rise of 17.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports molasses from Denmark

Exports in kind, K t

Molasses shipments from Denmark to abroad declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the export volume amounted to 12.8 K t, reflecting a reduction of 3.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 41.6%, which corresponds to an annualized decline rate of 16.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the three largest markets—Finland, Germany, and the United Kingdom—dominated Denmark's molasses exports in kind, collectively accounting for 90.4% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Denmark exported 2 743 K $ US worth of molasses in 2021, up by 47.7% year-on-year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 8.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 1 857 K $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 40.7%. In contrast, the highest value occurred in 2019, reaching 3 133 K $ US.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Finland (54.4% of exports in value terms), Germany (15.2%), and the United Kingdom (15.1%) were the main buyers of molasses from Denmark, together comprising 84.6% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports molasses to Denmark

Imports in kind, K t

The market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The volume varied significantly, with a three-fold difference between the peak in 2018 and the low in 2020. In 2021, foreign molasses supplies to Denmark totaled 118.0 K t, which is 172.2% higher than the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 43.4 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 61.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Russia (37.3% of imports in kind), Belarus (21.3%), and Germany (18.9%) together accounted for 77.5% of total imports in kind, serving as the primary sources for molasses to Denmark.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2021, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 3.2 times. In 2021, the volume of molasses imports to Denmark reached 24 454 K $ US, which is 215.7% higher compared to 2020. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 7 745 K $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 54.8%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, the three largest markets—Russia, Germany, and Belarus—remained central to Denmark's molasses imports in value terms, collectively taking 72.3% of total flows.

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

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