Primary sugar crops market in France

Earlier Report Observations

Following the abolition of EU sugar quotas in late 2017, French sugar beet growers faced immediate price volatility and the loss of guaranteed incomes, which combined with unfavorable weather and the spread of beet yellows virus to reduce harvested areas and push production down from 39.9 million tonnes in 2018 to 38.0 million tonnes in 2019. The announced closure of the Robust sugar plant in Rouen by 2022 signaled ongoing industry consolidation.

The pandemic-induced disruption to global sugar demand in 2020 and a ban on neonicotinoid-treated seeds that increased crop vulnerability drove production to a low of 26.2 million tonnes. A recovery to 34.4 million tonnes occurred in 2021 as weather conditions improved, agronomic measures were taken, and world sugar prices rose due to production shortfalls in Brazil and India.

Extreme drought and heat in 2022 severely impacted yields, while planted area fell to a record low since 2009 due to persistent disease risks and profitability concerns, reducing output to 31.5 million tonnes. In 2023, despite a further 6% drop in area, the harvest slightly improved aided by temporary approval of the insecticide Movento to combat yellows, stabilizing production at 30.6 million tonnes amid high world prices.

Production primary sugar crops in France

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

France was one of the world's top producers of primary sugar crops between 2017 and 2020, ranking 9th globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of primary sugar crops, 2017-2020

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

France's production of primary sugar crops fell for the third year in a row in 2020. That year, the country produced 26 163 thousand tonnes, marking a 31.2% drop from 2019. Over the full 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 43.5%, with an average annual decline of 17.3%.

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

Exports primary sugar crops from France

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed an unstable pattern from 2017 to 2020. They hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 4.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, France exported 528 tonnes of primary sugar crops, a sharp 74.3% decrease from the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 057 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase of 258.5% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium was the main buyer of primary sugar crops from France, accounting for 71.2% of total exports in volume. The remaining exports went to a diverse group of other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values displayed irregular fluctuations, reflecting a volatile market. The lowest value was in 2017, while the highest was in 2019, with a 4.5-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, France's exports of primary sugar crops totaled 57.3 thousand US dollars, down 47.7% from the previous year. The peak value was 109.7 thousand US dollars in 2019, and the largest year-on-year increase of 325.4% occurred in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Switzerland, Belgium, and the United States were the primary destinations for France's primary sugar crop exports by value. Switzerland took 39.2%, Belgium 22.0%, and the United States 19.8%, together making up 81.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports primary sugar crops to France

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes were volatile from 2017 to 2020. They reached their lowest in 2017 and their highest in 2018, with a 7.8-fold gap between these years. In 2020, France imported 1 123 tonnes of primary sugar crops, an 18.6% increase from 2019. The maximum volume was 1 675 tonnes in 2018, which also saw the largest year-on-year rise of 675.5%. The biggest decline of 43.5% occurred in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Spain, and Austria were the leading sources of primary sugar crop imports by volume for France. The Netherlands contributed 41.0%, Spain 33.2%, and Austria 15.7%, together accounting for 89.9% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values experienced irregular changes, indicating market volatility. The lowest value was in 2017, and the highest in 2020, with a 2.1-fold difference. In 2020, France imported 307.0 thousand US dollars worth of primary sugar crops, a significant 78.7% increase from the previous year. The largest decline of 20.8% was recorded in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain, Vietnam, and Austria formed the main group of markets for France's primary sugar crop imports by value. Spain accounted for 37.2%, Vietnam for 11.8%, and Austria for 9.2%, totaling 58.2% of import value.

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

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