Molasses market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

In the initial years from 2018 to 2019, the molasses market in Eastern Europe remained stable, with market volume hovering between 2.25 million tons and 2.28 million tons. This stability was supported by the development of the confectionery industry and the expanded use of starch syrups, which encouraged production. The entry of new enterprises intensified competition and contributed to import substitution, maintaining domestic supply.

A gradual contraction followed from 2020 to 2022, with market volume decreasing to 2.05 million tons in 2021 and then to 1.95 million tons in 2022. The decline in 2022 was notably influenced by sanctions and restrictions on imports of raw materials and equipment, which disrupted production logistics and supply chains. Although factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic were reported to have limited direct impact on the starch molasses segment, the overall market volume continued to trend downward during these years.

The market rebounded strongly in 2023, with volume surging by 25% to reach 2.44 million tons. This recovery was driven by the launch of new production facilities and significant investment projects, alongside sustained import substitution policies. Rising domestic demand from the confectionery industry further boosted production, which increased to 3.41 million tons. Early 2024 data indicated continued production growth, reflecting the ongoing expansion of domestic manufacturing capacity.

Production molasses in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of molasses, 2017-2020

World map of production of molasses, 2017-2020

In Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia), molasses production reached 3,128 thousand tons in 2020, marking a 3.1% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 7.6%, with an average annual decline of 2.6%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018 at 4.7%, while 2019 saw a slight increase of 0.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Molasses production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at $407.2 million, representing an 11.1% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 21.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at $301.7 million, which also saw the largest decline of 10.3%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the highest increase at 21.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports molasses from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

Molasses exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 1,104 thousand tons, a 1.0% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 6.5%, with an average annual decline of 2.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the export destinations for molasses from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were diverse. Turkey accounted for 25.4% of exports in volume, Spain for 10.0%, and Germany for 5.9%. Together, these three countries represented only 41.3% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of molasses exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled $143.8 million, a robust 13.6% rise from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 22.5%, with an average annual increase of 7.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at $106.6 million, which also saw the largest decline of 9.1%. The highest increase occurred in 2019 at 18.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the value of molasses exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was spread across many partner countries. Turkey accounted for 24.1% of export value, Spain for 10.0%, and the United Kingdom for 7.6%. Combined, these three countries made up only 41.7% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports molasses to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

Molasses imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume stood at 118 thousand tons, a 27.5% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 26.9%, with an average annual decline of 9.9%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 168 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 3.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Serbia, Croatia, and Germany were notable but not dominant suppliers of molasses to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia). Serbia accounted for 6.8% of import volume, Croatia for 6.7%, and Germany for 6.1%. Together, their share reached only 19.6% of total imports in volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Molasses imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports were valued at $29.5 million, a sharp 11.7% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value dropped by 8.9%, with an average annual decline of 3.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at $38.5 million, which also saw the largest increase of 18.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 13.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the import structure for molasses in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was balanced rather than concentrated. Serbia accounted for 8.0% of import value, Germany for 7.9%, and Croatia for 7.1%. These three countries jointly represented 23.0% of total flows, with many other countries making up the remaining 77.0%.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020