Molasses market in Europe

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the European molasses market contracted significantly, with volume falling from 7.5 million tons to 5.9 million tons. This decline was primarily driven by adverse weather, as regional drought and increased disease pressure in sugar beet crops reduced sugar production across the continent, directly limiting the output of this key by-product. The market downturn was further exacerbated in 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused widespread supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and logistical constraints within the sugar industry.

From 2021 onward, the market stabilized and entered a recovery phase, reaching 6.6 million tons by 2023. The industry adapted to pandemic-era challenges through increased automation and technological innovation, which helped improve production efficiency. A major growth driver was a rising consumer preference for natural and less refined sweeteners, which boosted demand for molasses. Concurrently, technological advancements in extraction and fermentation processes, supported by sustainability investments from leading companies like Südzucker AG into low-carbon sugar production, enhanced the efficiency and output of molasses.

Production molasses in Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of molasses, 2017-2020

World map of production of molasses, 2017-2020

Molasses production in Europe has now declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, Europe produced 5 486 K t of molasses, which represents a 3.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 23.6%, translating to an average annual decline of 8.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Europe's molasses production value has also decreased for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 3 175 M $ US, showing a modest drop of 2.5% from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value declined by 12.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports molasses from Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Europe's molasses export volume stood at 1 209 K t, marking a significant decline of 12.9% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 8.8%, with an average annual rate of -3.0%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 985 K t, while the peak occurred in 2019 at 1 388 K t. The sharpest drop was in 2018 at 25.7%, followed by the largest increase in 2019 at 41.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

The structure of Europe's molasses exports in kind from 2017 to 2020 shows a diversified partner base. Turkey accounted for 13.7% of exports, Norway for 2.5%, and the United States for 2.1%, together making up just 18.3% of total flows. The remaining 81.7% was spread across numerous smaller markets.

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

World map of product's exports from Europe in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Europe's molasses export value has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 324.1 M $ US, up 1.9% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value rose by 12.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.0%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 286.8 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 0.4%, while the biggest increase was in 2019 at 10.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Europe's molasses exports in value terms were distributed across a wide range of markets. Turkey represented 9.9% of exports, the United States 2.1%, and Norway 1.8%, together accounting for only 13.8% of total export value. The remaining 86.2% came from many smaller destinations.

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

World map of product's exports from Europe in value, 2017-2020

Imports molasses to Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Europe's molasses import volume totaled 1 627 K t, showing a substantial decline of 16.7% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 6.7%, with an average annual rate of -2.3%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 954 K t. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 12.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Europe's molasses imports in kind featured a balanced partner structure rather than a concentrated one. India accounted for 9.4% of imports, Guatemala for 5.0%, and Egypt for 4.6%, together representing 19.0% of total flows. The remaining 81.0% came from many other countries.

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

World map of product's imports to Europe in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Europe's molasses import value reached 447.6 M $ US, indicating a slight increase of 1.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 4.6%, with an average annual rate of 1.5%. The peak value was in 2018 at 453.7 M $ US. The largest decline was in 2019 at 2.4%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 6.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The structure of Europe's molasses imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 points to a diversified set of partners. India accounted for 9.9% of imports, Guatemala for 5.4%, and Egypt for 4.8%, together making up only 20.1% of total flows. The remaining 79.9% was dispersed among numerous smaller markets.

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

World map of product's imports to Europe in value, 2017-2020