Molasses market in the Netherlands

Earlier Report Observations

The molasses market in the Netherlands contracted from 416 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 303 thousand tonnes in 2020. During this period, the industry's focus on fully utilizing side streams from sugar beet processing supported overall efficiency. However, in 2019, the presence of harmful nitrogenous substances in sugar beets affected molasses formation, which likely constrained production volumes and contributed to the market's decline.

From 2021, significant modernization efforts began to reshape the sector. Tiense Suikerraffinaderij initiated construction of a new diffusion tower designed to cut CO2 emissions and water use, while also preparing for the integration of a high-temperature heat pump by 2024. These investments in sustainable technology aimed to improve processing efficiency, influencing molasses output. Despite these upgrades, the market size remained volatile, reaching 360 thousand tonnes in 2021 before falling to 296 thousand tonnes in 2023, as shifts in export activity offset production changes.

Logistics and scale continued to underpin the market, with Cosun Beet Company utilizing inland waterways for transport and reporting a sugar beet harvest of approximately 400 000 tonnes in 2023. Ongoing projects, such as carbon farming for carbon storage in beet cultivation, further highlight the industry's strategic move towards reducing its environmental footprint.

Production molasses in the Netherlands

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of molasses, 2017-2020

World map of production of molasses, 2017-2020

After a two-year decline, molasses production in the Netherlands rebounded. In 2020, the country produced 229.2 K t of molasses, marking a modest increase of 1.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 15.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 225.0 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 14.8% drop.

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

Exports molasses from the Netherlands

Exports in kind, K t

The export market demonstrated volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 54.0 K t and peaked in 2020 at 122.7 K t, representing a 2.3-fold increase between these years. In 2020, the Netherlands exported 122.7 K t of molasses, up 1.3% from 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 46.7%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2019 with a 124.4% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary destinations for molasses exports from the Netherlands were Germany, accounting for 36.6% of exports in kind, Belgium with 32.8%, and France at 14.5%. Together, these three countries represented 83.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Molasses exports from the Netherlands increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 25 169 K $ US worth of molasses, showing a substantial gain of 33.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 15.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 4.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 11 902 K $ US, with the largest decline that year at 45.4%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 with a 58.1% rise.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Belgium, Germany, and the United Kingdom remained the leading destinations for molasses exports in value terms. Belgium accounted for 29.2% of exports, Germany for 27.3%, and the United Kingdom for 22.6%. Collectively, these three countries represented 79.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports molasses to the Netherlands

Imports in kind, K t

Molasses imports to the Netherlands declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported approximately 196.6 K t of molasses, which is 12.4% less than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 31.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.5%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 239.8 K t, with the largest increase that year at 60.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, India, and Belgium were the main sources of molasses imports to the Netherlands. Germany accounted for 27.5% of imports in kind, India for 15.9%, and Belgium for 11.8%. Together, these three countries represented 55.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Molasses imports to the Netherlands declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 36 945 K $ US, representing a 4.6% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 16.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 41 396 K $ US, with the largest increase that year at 30.5%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 6.4% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands sourced molasses imports from a diverse range of partners. Germany accounted for 23.0% of imports in value terms, India for 13.7%, and the United Kingdom for 12.8%. Together, these three countries represented 49.6% of total import flows.

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

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