Molasses market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The molasses market in Northern Europe fluctuated significantly between 2018 and 2023. After remaining stable at around 1.39 million t in 2018–2019, volume dropped to 1.15 million t in 2020, a period that saw the initial development of forest molasses production in Norway aimed at boosting local feed ingredient supply. Market volume then rebounded sharply to 1.42 million t in 2022, driven partly by extreme weather events like drought and floods that degraded forage quality and increased demand for molasses as a feed supplement.

The subsequent decline to 1.23 million t in 2023 was linked to an anticipated global sugar shortage, which constrained the availability of molasses as a by‑product of sugar refining. These shifts highlight the market's sensitivity to both agricultural conditions and upstream commodity constraints.

By 2024, imports of molasses into the region stood at 985 thousand t against exports of 140 thousand t, reflecting continued reliance on foreign supply. During the year, Nordic Sugar switched its factory heating from coal and oil to natural gas to cut CO₂ emissions, while in Norway, plans advanced for a dedicated forest‑molasses plant intended to further increase domestic self‑sufficiency in feed production.

Production molasses in Northern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of molasses, 2017-2020

World map of production of molasses, 2017-2020

In 2019, Northern Europe produced 474.2 thousand tons of molasses, marking the highest output in recent years. However, production declined to 425.4 thousand tons in 2020, representing a significant 10.3% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 8.6%, with an average annual decline of 3.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 416.2 thousand tons, which saw the largest drop of 10.6%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most substantial growth, with a 13.9% increase.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Northern Europe's molasses production value rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 144.2 million US dollars, reflecting a moderate 4.1% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 7.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 109.0 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 18.6%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with a 27.1% rise.

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

Exports molasses from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Northern Europe exported 112 thousand tons of molasses, showing a 10.2% year-over-year increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 16.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.2%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 117 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 21.8%. In 2019, exports experienced the most significant decline, dropping by 13.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, molasses exports from Northern Europe were distributed across a wide range of markets. Norway accounted for 9.9% of exports in kind, Germany for 5.5%, and the Netherlands for 4.5%. Together, these three countries represented only 19.8% of total export flows, indicating a highly diversified market structure.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Northern Europe exported molasses worth 38.0 million US dollars, marking a sharp 27.9% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value rose by 37.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.2%. The only decline during this period occurred in 2019, with a 3.2% decrease.

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

The value structure of molasses exports from Northern Europe between 2017 and 2020 was highly diversified. The Netherlands accounted for 9.7% of export value, Norway for 7.7%, and Germany for 7.4%. Combined, these three countries represented just 24.8% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant position.

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

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

Imports molasses to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Northern Europe's molasses imports declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 836 thousand tons, which is 17.5% lower than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import volume decreased by 6.3%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 2.1%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1,089 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 22.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Guatemala was the largest supplier of molasses to Northern Europe, accounting for 11.4% of imports in kind, followed by India at 10.9% and Belarus at 8.1%. However, these three countries together represented only 30.4% of total imports, with the remaining 69.6% spread across numerous other partners.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Northern Europe's molasses import value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 172.2 million US dollars, up 1.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 16.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, molasses imports to Northern Europe in value terms were spread across a large number of markets. Guatemala accounted for 11.8% of import value, India for 11.5%, and the United States for 8.4%. Together, these three countries represented only 31.7% of total import flows, highlighting the diversified nature of the supply base.

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

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