Primary sugar crops market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish primary sugar crops market opened the period at 2,871 thousand tons in 2018, amidst a sectoral recovery supported by government backing and adaptation to new EU legislation. Volume then declined over the next two years, falling to 2,433 thousand tons in 2020, a drop accelerated by the ongoing sugar crisis in Europe.

A modest rebound to 2,505 thousand tons occurred in 2021. The following year, however, saw a sharp contraction to 2,000 thousand tons, directly attributed to soaring energy costs and adverse climatic conditions, including heat and drought, which damaged beet yields.

The market recovered strongly in 2023, with volume reaching 2,890 thousand tons. Industry reports for 2024 highlight high sugar prices and improved farm profitability as key drivers behind planned increases in beet cultivation area, supported by the EU's Common Agricultural Policy.

Production primary sugar crops in Spain

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of primary sugar crops, 2017-2020

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

Primary sugar crops production in Spain has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Spain produced 2 433 thousand tonnes of primary sugar crops, which represents an 11.6% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 26.1%, translating to an average annual decline of 9.6%.

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

Exports primary sugar crops from Spain

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 23 tonnes, then peaked in 2020 at 889 tonnes, representing a 39-fold increase between these years. The 2020 export volume was 655.2% higher than in 2019. The most substantial decline occurred in 2018, when exports dropped by 90.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France accounted for 83.9% of Spain's total primary sugar crops exports by volume, with the remaining share distributed among various smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Spain's primary sugar crops export value has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 586 thousand US dollars, marking a 140.6% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 367.9%, which corresponds to an average annual growth rate of 67.3%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, France (41.4% of export value), Germany (38.4%), and Portugal (10.6%) remained the primary markets for Spain's primary sugar crops exports by value. Together, these three countries accounted for 90.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports primary sugar crops to Spain

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017, then peaked in 2019 at 1 188 tonnes, representing a 10.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Spain imported 1 119 tonnes of primary sugar crops, showing a moderate 5.9% decrease compared to the previous year. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, when imports surged by 309.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany dominated Spain's primary sugar crops imports by volume, accounting for 78.1% of total flows, while other countries collectively represented the remaining share.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout this period. Import value reached its lowest point in 2017, then peaked in 2018 at 1 147 thousand US dollars, representing a 7.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Spain imported primary sugar crops worth 1 119 thousand US dollars, showing a sudden 26.8% increase compared to the previous year. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019, when import value fell by 26.6%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, with a 684.1% surge.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Germany remained the main source for Spain's primary sugar crops imports by value, accounting for 79.7% of total flows, with the remaining share distributed across various smaller markets.

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

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