Primary sugar crops market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

The Russian primary sugar crops market showed significant volatility between 2018 and 2023. A sharp rise to 54.4 million tonnes in 2019 was driven by expanded sown areas and higher sugar beet yields, supported by state modernization programs. However, production fell by 38% to 33.9 million tonnes in 2020 after the Ministry of Agriculture called for a reduction in planting area, compounded by adverse weather conditions like drought and strong winds. Recovery began in 2021 with improved agrotechnical conditions and expanded processing, lifting the market to 41.2 million tonnes.

Growth continued in 2022 and 2023, reaching 49.6 million tonnes, fueled by technological innovations in sugar beet processing and an increase in operating sugar factories from 29 in 2022 to 40 in 2023. Major producers such as Rusagro Group invested in upgrading capacity and storage systems. The government also prepared to implement import quotas for sugar beet seeds from February 2024 to reduce reliance on foreign supplies.

Legislative changes, including an excise tax on soft drinks with over 5g of sugar per 100ml effective July 2023, altered demand conditions for sugar. Simultaneously, sugar exports tripled in 2023 to 642 thousand tonnes, further stimulating primary crop production. Market consolidation and ongoing investments in breeding and seed production strengthened the sector, though weather-related risks persisted.

Production primary sugar crops in Russia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Russia ranked as the 8th largest producer of primary sugar crops between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of primary sugar crops, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Russia produced 33 915 K t of primary sugar crops, marking a 37.6% decrease from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 34.7%, which translates to an annualized decline of 13.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 54 350 K t, with the largest year-on-year increase of 29.2% also occurring that year.

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

Exports primary sugar crops from Russia

Exports in kind, kg

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 11.7 times. In 2020, shipments of primary sugar crops from Russia to abroad totaled 876 kg, representing a 682.3% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 78.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, exports of primary sugar crops from Russia in kind were dominated by two markets: Kazakhstan and Belarus, which together accounted for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The lowest export value was observed in 2020, while the highest occurred in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 12 times. In 2020, Russia exported 137 US dollars' worth of primary sugar crops, indicating a 44.6% drop from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 649 US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019 at 85.0%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 806.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, exports of primary sugar crops from Russia in value terms were almost entirely concentrated in Belarus, which held a share of 95.3%.

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

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

Imports primary sugar crops to Russia

Imports in kind, kg

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import volumes bottomed in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 322-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Russia's volume of primary sugar crops imports reached 18 997 kg, up by 32,098.3% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 59 kg, with the largest decline that year at 99.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt and Vietnam formed the core of imports in kind of primary sugar crops to Russia, together accounting for 99.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import volumes dropped to a minimum in 2019 and climbed to their maximum in 2018, representing a 67-fold shift. In 2020, Russia's volume of primary sugar crops imports was recorded at 11 694 US dollars, up by 2,985.4% year-on-year. The minimum value was in 2019 at 379 US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 98.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Vietnam and Egypt formed a highly concentrated pair of markets for imports in value terms of primary sugar crops to Russia, together taking 99.6% of total flows.

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

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