Molasses market in Southern Europe, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The molasses market in Southern Europe experienced notable fluctuations in volume between 2018 and 2023. After an initial increase to 828.8 thousand tons in 2019, the market contracted to 773.1 thousand tons in 2020. A strong recovery followed in 2021, with volume surging to 904.7 thousand tons, before another decline to 805.4 thousand tons in 2022. The market then reached its peak for the period in 2023, expanding by over 32% to 1 064.4 thousand tons.

In 2024, the market was shaped by several key developments. Growing demand for biofuels, particularly from sugar cane and beet, bolstered the use of molasses as a feedstock for bioethanol production, supported by sustainability policies in the region. Concurrently, the entry of new players into segments like animal nutrition and antioxidant supplements diversified the product offering. Advanced production technologies, such as membrane filtration to improve purity, enhanced product quality for pharmaceutical and wellness applications, while updated EU labeling and traceability regulations required adaptations from producers and distributors.

Production molasses in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of molasses, 2017-2020

World map of production of molasses, 2017-2020

Molasses production in Southern Europe has been declining for three years in a row. In 2020, the region produced 322.8 K t of molasses, marking a slight year-over-year decrease of 0.8%. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 28.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 10.4%.

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

Exports molasses from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Molasses exports from Southern Europe dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 40.6 K t, showing a sharp contraction of 35.3% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 37.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -14.4%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 105.1 K t. In 2019, exports saw the largest decline of 40.3%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018 with a rise of 62.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, France, and Bulgaria were the key partners for molasses exports in kind from Southern Europe. Hungary accounted for 47.0% of exports, France for 5.0%, and Bulgaria for 1.5%, together making up 53.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, foreign molasses supplies from Southern Europe reached 13 203 K $ US, reflecting a robust gain of 23.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 9.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 3.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 10 729 K $ US, while the highest was in 2018 at 15 265 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 29.7%, and the biggest increase was in 2018 with a rise of 26.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, France, and the United Kingdom were the principal buyers of molasses from Southern Europe in value terms. Hungary accounted for 39.8% of exports, France for 8.5%, and the United Kingdom for 1.9%, jointly representing 50.3% of total export value.

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

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

Imports molasses to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, imported molasses volumes in Southern Europe totaled 490.9 K t, reflecting a substantial contraction of 13.3% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 9.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.1%. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 566.3 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 6.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia, Egypt, and Morocco were the top suppliers of molasses to Southern Europe in kind. Russia accounted for 29.5% of imports, Egypt for 17.6%, and Morocco for 9.6%, with their combined share reaching 56.7% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Southern Europe's volume of molasses imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 92 645 K $ US, showing a moderate gain of 5.5% versus the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 20.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 6.5%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 0.0%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2019 with a rise of 14.4%.

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

In 2017–2020, Russia, Egypt, and Morocco together accounted for 54.0% of total molasses imports in value terms to Southern Europe, remaining the main destinations. Russia contributed 26.1%, Egypt 17.8%, and Morocco 10.1%.

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

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