Primary sugar crops market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for primary sugar crops in Eastern Europe increased from 82 711 thousand tons in 2018 to 90 492 thousand tons in 2019, but then fell sharply to 68 778 thousand tons in 2020. This decline was primarily caused by adverse weather conditions, including drought and strong winds, which reduced yields, coupled with a deliberate 19.1% reduction in sown areas following government recommendations.

Recovery began in 2021, with the market growing to 78 972 thousand tons, supported by increased sugar production reaching 5.33 million tons and the operation of 10 sugar plants. State subsidies for sugar beet seed purchases, along with planned subsidy increases, further stimulated production in 2022, leading to a market volume of 83 694 thousand tons despite a reduction in the number of operating sugar plants. Growth continued in 2023, reaching 91 596 thousand tons, driven by a 9.9% rise in sugar output to 6.66 million tons and the expansion of processing capacity, with 40 out of 66 plants operational.

By 2024, the industry had consolidated with 40 sugar beet processing plants active, reflecting completed capacity expansions and sustained daily sugar production estimated at 19 thousand tons. Ongoing government policies aim to increase the share of domestic seeds to 75% by 2030, ensuring long-term support for the sector.

Production primary sugar crops in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of primary sugar crops, 2017-2020

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

In Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia), 68 887 thousand tonnes of primary sugar crops were produced in 2020, marking a 24.0% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 28.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -10.6%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, when production rose by 9.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The output of primary sugar crops in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was valued at 4 319 million US dollars in 2020, reflecting a 27.6% year-over-year decline. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 28.4%, which translates to an annualized rate of -10.5%. The most significant increase was recorded in 2019, with a 22.2% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports primary sugar crops from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, exports of primary sugar crops from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) totaled 192.0 thousand tonnes, up by 45.7% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 32%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.7%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 131.8 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 16.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Croatia and Austria were the largest contributors to exports in kind, together accounting for 55.9% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, shipments of primary sugar crops from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) to abroad reached 12 041 thousand US dollars, showing a significant increase of 38.7% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 32.1%, with a CAGR of 9.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 8 680 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 7.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Croatia (40.2% of exports in value terms), Austria (16.0%), and Germany (1.4%) were the key partners in exports by value, together making up 57.7% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports primary sugar crops to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

Import levels showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. In 2019, imports reached their lowest point at 26.3 thousand tonnes, with a decline of 39.1%. By 2020, import volume in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) stood at 82.5 thousand tonnes, representing a dramatic gain of 213.6% from the previous year. Overall, imports varied by 3.1 times between the low in 2019 and the high in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Over the 2017-2020 period, Austria and Germany contributed the most to imports in kind, together representing 26.8% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) imported approximately 9 362 thousand US dollars of primary sugar crops, marking a strong gain of 16.6% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 6.6%, with a CAGR of -2.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 8 029 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 23.7%, while the maximum value occurred in 2018 at 10 528 thousand US dollars.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Austria (39.7% of imports in value terms), Germany (8.2%), and France (3.0%) made the biggest contribution to imports by value, jointly accounting for 50.9% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020