Raw cane or beet sugar in solid form market in France

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, French production of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form grew from 256.4 thousand tonnes to 321.7 thousand tonnes. This increase was primarily enabled by the abolition of European sugar production quotas in October 2017, which removed output limits for sugar factories. The expansion occurred despite a concurrent reduction in beet cultivation area and the announced closure of several refineries by major groups like Südzucker and Cristal Union. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused logistical disruptions to global sugar supply and demand, but domestic production continued to rise.

After 2020, production entered a steep decline, falling to 129.3 thousand tonnes by 2023. This drop was driven by the actual closure of multiple sugar beet processing plants, which reduced industrial capacity. Beet acreage continued to shrink due to low price attractiveness and regulatory pressure, notably from the 2018 ban on neonicotinoid pesticides—a key protection tool for beet growers. Although world sugar prices surged to decade-high levels in 2022-2023 due to deficits in key producing countries, improving farmgate prices for French beet growers, it could not offset the loss of planted area and processing infrastructure.

The structure of the French sugar sector evolved during this period. The development of bioethanol E85, whose share in the gasoline market rose from 4% in 2021 to 6.8% by early 2024, created a new non-food outlet for the beet-sugar chain. However, the total sugar market size contracted from 240.6 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 114.1 thousand tonnes in 2023, reflecting lower domestic output amid variable trade flows.

Production raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in France

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, 2017-2020

World map of production of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, 2017-2020

France's production of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form has increased for the second year in a row. In 2019, output stood at 304 thousand tonnes, rising to 322 thousand tonnes in 2020—a 6.0% increase. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4.7%, averaging 1.5% per year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 256 thousand tonnes, which marked the largest decline of 16.6%. The following year, 2019, saw the biggest increase at 18.4%.

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

Exports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from France

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from France showed an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020. The lowest point was in 2018 at 78.6 thousand tonnes, which represented the largest decline of 62.4%. In 2019, exports rebounded with the largest increase of 84.4%. By 2020, deliveries fell to 119.3 thousand tonnes, a significant drop of 17.6% compared to the previous year. Overall, exports varied by a factor of 2.7 between the high in 2017 and the low in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Spain, and Portugal consistently led as the top destinations for France's exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form. Italy accounted for 24.7% of exports, Spain for 19.1%, and Portugal for 17.8%. Together, these three countries represented 61.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After declining for two years, France's exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in value terms increased in 2020. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 50.6 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 34.2% occurring in 2018. In 2020, exports rose to 51.6 million US dollars, up 2.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, exports decreased by 49.7%, averaging a 20.5% annual decline.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Spain, and Portugal were the main destinations for France's exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in value terms. Italy accounted for 22.3% of exports, Spain for 21.0%, and Portugal for 15.1%. Combined, these three countries made up 58.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to France

Imports in kind, K t

France's imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form declined for the second consecutive year. In 2019, imports totaled 46.4 thousand tonnes, dropping to 40.7 thousand tonnes in 2020—a decrease of 12.3%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 62.8 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 29.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 26.2%. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 16.5%, averaging a 5.8% annual decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Mauritius, and Spain were the three main sources for France's imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form. Together, these countries accounted for 52.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

France's imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in value terms increased moderately in 2020. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 54.8 million US dollars, which also marked the largest increase of 22.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 12.6%. In 2020, imports reached 50.6 million US dollars, up 5.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports grew by 13.5%, averaging a 4.3% annual increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France's imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in value terms came from a broad range of partners. Germany accounted for 19.9% of imports, Spain for 12.9%, and Belgium for 11.7%. Together, these three countries represented 44.4% of total import flows.

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

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