Primary sugar crops market in Austria

Earlier Report Observations

The Austrian primary sugar crops market experienced significant volatility between 2018 and 2023. The abolition of the EU sugar quota in late 2017 led to a free market and a sharp drop in prices, reducing the profitability of beet farming. This triggered a 27% contraction in the cultivation area by 2018, compounded by pest infestations like weevils that caused harvest losses. These pressures drove down domestic production and the total market volume to 1.97 million tons in 2019. A slight recovery followed in 2020 as the sector adapted, though market conditions remained challenging.

Market volume surged to over 3 million tons in 2021. This sharp increase was driven by improved market conditions and better crop yields, which encouraged farmers to expand sugar beet cultivation. The sole domestic processor, AGRANA, processed approximately 3.3 million tons of beets that year at its two factories in Tulln and Leopoldsdorf, directly supporting the rise in domestic output and market size.

Following the 2021 peak, the market volume declined in 2022 amid continued oversupply on the EU market and competitive pressure from imports. By 2023, the market stabilized around 2.68 million tons. Despite ongoing price pressure, beet farmers in some regions reported record prices, and AGRANA launched the processing campaign under favorable conditions. Discussions on new pricing models and the strategic focus of the sugar industry continued, with plans to concentrate production at the Tulln site from 2025.

Production primary sugar crops in Austria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of primary sugar crops, 2017-2020

World map of production of primary sugar crops, 2017-2020

Austria's primary sugar crops production increased after two years of decline. In 2020, the country produced 2,092 thousand tonnes, marking a 6.4% year-on-year rise. However, between 2017 and 2020, overall production fell by 30.1%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 11.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1,965 thousand tonnes, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with a 28.2% decline.

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

Exports primary sugar crops from Austria

Exports in kind, t

Austria's primary sugar crops exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2019, export volume stood at 1,176 tonnes, representing a 96.1% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2019, exports plummeted by 98.4%, averaging an annual decline of 74.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Czechia and Switzerland were the key destinations for Austria's primary sugar crops exports, together accounting for 99.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Austria's primary sugar crops exports in value terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2019, exports were valued at 1,178 thousand US dollars, a 66.1% drop from the previous year. From 2017 to 2019, export value decreased by 83.4%, with an average annual decline of 45.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia was the primary destination for Austria's primary sugar crops exports in value terms, absorbing 91.0% of the total.

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

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

Imports primary sugar crops to Austria

Imports in kind, t

The import market for primary sugar crops in Austria showed significant volatility during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with an 85,340-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports surged to 49,602 tonnes, a dramatic increase of 4,908.5% compared to 2019. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 94,727 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 99.0% drop, while the most substantial increase was in 2018, rising by 8,533,860.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Slovakia and Hungary dominated Austria's primary sugar crops imports, together accounting for 99.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Austria's primary sugar crops import market exhibited notable volatility over the observed period. Imports hit their lowest in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 796-fold gap between these years. In 2020, imports amounted to approximately 1,946 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp increase of 5,344.2% from the previous year. The maximum import value was recorded in 2018 at 3,225 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019 with a 98.9% drop, while the most significant increase occurred in 2018, rising by 79,510.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovakia and Hungary were the main suppliers of primary sugar crops to Austria, together holding a 98.5% share of total imports in value terms, with the remainder distributed among other countries.

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

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