Primary sugar crops market in the Netherlands

Earlier Report Observations

The Dutch primary sugar crops market expanded gradually from 2018 to 2020, with production rising from 6.5 million tons to nearly 6.7 million tons. This growth was facilitated by the abolition of EU production restrictions in 2017, which encouraged higher sugar beet cultivation. However, regional drought and the closure of several European sugar factories in 2018 introduced constraints that tempered output increases. In 2019, the government raised the waste tax on burning and landfilling to €32.12 per ton, promoting recycling and indirectly affecting agricultural raw material use.

After a modest decline in 2021, production jumped by over 10% in 2022 to 7.3 million tons, lifting the market size above 7.2 million tons. Volumes then fell by roughly 4% in 2023 to 6.9 million tons. Throughout this period, national circular economy policies—aimed at halving primary raw material consumption by 2030—continued to influence the market’s operating environment.

In 2024 and 2025, the sector contends with a tight labor market and wage increases of more than 5%, raising processing and transport costs. Government measures such as the Energy List 2025, backed by a €431 million budget for energy investment deductions, support sustainable upgrades. The waste tax is scheduled to climb further, reinforcing circular economy goals, while the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive mandates detailed CO₂ and waste reporting from 2025 onward.

Production primary sugar crops in the Netherlands

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of primary sugar crops, 2018-2021

World map of production of primary sugar crops, 2018-2021

Primary sugar crops production in the Netherlands declined after two years of growth. In 2021, the country produced 6 556 K t, marking a 2.0% decrease compared to the previous year. The highest production level was recorded in 2020 at 6 691 K t, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 2.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports primary sugar crops from the Netherlands

Exports in kind, t

Cross-border shipments of primary sugar crops from the Netherlands declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, export volume reached 652 t, representing a 25.2% reduction from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 22.9%, averaging an 8.3% annual decline. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 389 t, with the largest annual drop occurring in 2020 at 37.2%. The most significant increase happened in 2019, when exports grew by 64.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, France, and Belgium were the main markets for Dutch primary sugar crops exports in kind. Germany accounted for 54.4% of exports, France for 15.2%, and Belgium for 12.4%. Together, these three countries represented 82.1% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Primary sugar crops deliveries from the Netherlands increased after two years of decline. In 2021, exports amounted to 466 K $ US, showing a significant 23.8% rise from 2020. However, over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 2.6%, with an average annual decline of 0.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 377 K $ US, which also saw the largest annual drop of 14.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Germany, Spain, and Austria were the leading buyers of primary sugar crops from the Netherlands in value terms. Germany accounted for 43.3% of exports, Spain for 11.3%, and Austria for 9.9%. Collectively, these three countries represented 64.4% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021

Imports primary sugar crops to the Netherlands

Imports in kind, t

The volume of primary sugar crops imports into the Netherlands increased after two years of decline. In 2021, imports totalled 13 886 t, rising by 69.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 37.8%, with an average annual decline of 14.6%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 8 188 t, while the largest annual drop occurred in 2019 at 58.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Germany and Belgium remained the primary suppliers of primary sugar crops to the Netherlands in kind. Together, they accounted for 94.9% of total imports, with the remainder distributed among other countries in smaller shares.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

The volume of primary sugar crops imports into the Netherlands increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports reached 4 742 K $ US, showing a sharp 36.8% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 32.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -12.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 342 K $ US, which also experienced the largest annual decline of 52.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Belgium and Germany were the principal sources for imports in value terms. Together, they accounted for 93.5% of total import flows, while other partners each held significantly smaller shares.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021