Primary sugar crops market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for primary sugar crops in Western Europe increased slightly in 2019 before a sharp 16% contraction in 2020. The end of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy sugar production quotas in 2018 exposed producers to greater global price volatility, requiring competitiveness gains. The decline in 2020 was directly driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a trough in global raw sugar output.

A recovery unfolded in 2021, with the market volume returning above 81 thousand tonnes, supported by increased investment in research and development for advanced plant breeding techniques to improve yields. However, volume fell again by 7% in 2022 after the removal of tariffs on Ukrainian sugar heightened competition on the European market and a reduction in French sugar beet acreage due to viral yellows and the phasing out of neonicotinoid pesticides constrained production.

By 2023, the market saw a moderate recovery to 77 434 thousand tonnes. This growth was underpinned by record-high world sugar prices, fueled by strong Brazilian production and wildfires, alongside maintained high sugar output levels in France. Throughout the period, the sector faced ongoing pressure from land competition and limited availability of plant protection products, shaping the environment for European beet sugar production.

Production primary sugar crops in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of primary sugar crops, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Western Europe produced 69 653 K t of primary sugar crops, marking a 16.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 29.5%, with an annualized decline of 11.0%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018 at 17.8%, while 2019 saw a modest increase of 2.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Primary sugar crops production in Western Europe declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 6 463 M $ US, representing an 18.5% drop compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 31.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports primary sugar crops from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Western Europe's volume of primary sugar crops exports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 258.1 K t, up 17.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 30%, with an annualized increase of 9.2%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 171.9 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 13.4%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase at 28.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland and Czechia were the key buyers of primary sugar crops from Western Europe, together accounting for 58.3% of total exports in volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Western Europe's primary sugar crops export value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totalled 23 946 K $ US, rising 13.5% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 26.7%, with an annualized rate of 8.2%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 18 144 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 4.0%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 16.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Switzerland and Czechia contributed the most to exports in value terms, jointly representing 78.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports primary sugar crops to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 5.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Western Europe imported 110.9 K t of primary sugar crops, a sharp increase of 178.7% compared to 2019. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 130.6 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 423.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 69.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovakia (7.3% of imports in volume), Hungary (4.6%), and Czechia (1.1%) were the principal destinations for imports, together accounting for 13.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.3-fold change between these years. In 2020, Western Europe imported 35 354 K $ US of primary sugar crops, up 35.4% from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019 at 9.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 85.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Slovakia (3.4% of imports in value), Czechia (2.5%), and the United Kingdom (1.6%) formed the largest group of suppliers to Western Europe. However, their combined contribution was limited to 7.5% of total imports, reflecting a diversified country structure.

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

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