Primary sugar crops market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Swiss primary sugar crops market was shaped by variable production yields, notably impacted by dry weather conditions in 2018 which reduced beet harvests. Continued state single-crop payments of 2 100 CHF per hectare provided stability for growers. However, the self-sufficiency rate declined to 55% in 2019, increasing reliance on imports to meet domestic demand. In 2020, the influence of a fluctuating Euro exchange rate pressured local sugar prices, while processors boosted imports of duty-free sugar beets to maintain factory utilization, contributing to a market size of 1 578 thousand tonnes.

Between 2021 and 2023, production volumes experienced significant swings, dropping to 1 102 thousand tonnes in 2021 before recovering to 1 353 thousand tonnes in 2022. This recovery was supported by an increase in the reference price for sugar beets by 5 CHF per tonne and additional premiums for organic and IP-Suisse cultivation. The ongoing effects of the EU market liberalization since 2017 kept Swiss sugar prices aligned with European trends, while global energy and logistics cost spikes, compounded by geopolitical tensions, added to price volatility. With self-sufficiency dipping below 50%, the Swissness regulation was adapted, requiring only 40% domestic raw material for 'Swiss sugar' labeling from 2024 onward.

In 2024, strong import demand for sugar beets reached 478 thousand tonnes, reflecting the new Swissness rules and the need to secure processing capacity. The Federal Council extended state support for sugar production until the end of 2026, aiming to maintain a 70% self-sufficiency level. The border protection mechanism remained active with monthly duty rate reviews, and the reference price was again raised by 3 CHF per tonne, continuing the policy framework aimed at stabilizing the domestic supply chain.

Production primary sugar crops in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of primary sugar crops, 2017-2020

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

Switzerland produced 1,304 thousand tonnes of primary sugar crops in 2020, representing a 10.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 15.6%, with an average annual decrease of 5.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1,263 thousand tonnes. That same year saw the largest decline of 18.2%, while 2019 experienced the most significant increase at 15.1%.

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

Exports primary sugar crops from Switzerland

Exports in kind, K t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2018, with a staggering 70,272-fold difference between these years. Switzerland exported no primary sugar crops in 2020, which represents a 30,513.3% increase from the zero exports recorded in 2019. The minimum value was 0.0 thousand tonnes in 2019, while the maximum reached 0.5 thousand tonnes in 2018. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019 with a complete 100.0% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and Spain dominated Switzerland's primary sugar crop exports in volume terms, together accounting for 99.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market demonstrated volatility throughout the observed period. Export values showed a dramatic 14,770-fold variation between the peak in 2018 and the trough in 2019. Switzerland exported 2 thousand US dollars worth of primary sugar crops in 2020, marking a 24,336.7% increase from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 thousand US dollars, while the maximum reached 149 thousand US dollars in 2018. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a complete 100.0% decrease.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Switzerland's primary sugar crop exports in value terms were heavily concentrated on Germany, which accounted for 87.0% of total export flows, with other countries making up the remaining share.

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

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

Imports primary sugar crops to Switzerland

Imports in kind, K t

Switzerland's primary sugar crop imports increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 273.3 thousand tonnes. This represents a substantial 28.7% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volumes grew by 99.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 25.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, nearly all of Switzerland's primary sugar crop imports in volume terms came from Germany, which accounted for 97.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Primary sugar crop deliveries to Switzerland increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 24,153 thousand US dollars. This represents a robust 22.3% gain compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import values grew by 144.8%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 34.8%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Germany dominated Switzerland's primary sugar crop imports in value terms, accounting for 98.2% of total import flows.

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

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