Raw cane or beet sugar in solid form market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market for raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in Northern Europe expanded from 11 252 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 11 923 thousand tonnes in 2019, reflecting steady demand. However, in 2020 the market volume contracted sharply to 7 473 thousand tonnes, a drop of over one-third compared to the previous year. This was followed by a gradual recovery, with the market reaching 8 919 thousand tonnes in 2021 and 9 118 thousand tonnes in 2022, before jumping to 11 587 thousand tonnes in 2023, slightly above the 2019 level.

Production movements largely mirrored market size, with output falling from 11 343 thousand tonnes in 2019 to 6 890 thousand tonnes in 2020 before rebounding to 10 880 thousand tonnes in 2023. Trade flows remained modest relative to domestic production, with imports typically ranging between 500 and 700 thousand tonnes and exports below 100 thousand tonnes. By 2024, market dynamics were increasingly shaped by volatility in global agricultural commodity prices and a shift toward digitalized distribution channels, factors that influenced cost structures and consumer access.

Production raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in Northern Europe

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

In 2020, Northern Europe produced 6 890 K t of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, marking a significant year-over-year decline of 39.3%. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 45.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 18.2%. The largest increase during this timeframe occurred in 2019, when production rose by 5.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in Northern Europe was valued at 6 137 M $ US, showing a sharp decline of 29.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 39.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.6%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 29.8%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a rise of 21.7%.

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

Exports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. In 2020, Northern Europe exported 34.1 K t of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, representing an abrupt decline of 45.4% compared to 2019. The lowest export volume was observed in 2020, while the highest occurred in 2018 at 122.9 K t, resulting in a peak-to-trough ratio of 3.6 times. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 49.2%, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a rise of 79.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports in kind of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from Northern Europe were spread across many countries. Spain accounted for 17.9% of exports in kind, Italy for 9.1%, and France for 6.5%, with these three countries together representing only 33.5% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Exported volumes of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from Northern Europe declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 30.3 M $ US, indicating a steep decrease of 36.7% relative to the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 45.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 18.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 81.6 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 41.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a rise of 47.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, there was no single dominant market for raw cane or beet sugar in solid form. Spain accounted for 13.4% of exports in value terms, Italy for 7.8%, and France for 6.3%, with these three countries together taking only 27.5% of total exports in value terms. Many smaller partners each held modest individual shares.

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

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

Imports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Northern Europe's import volume of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form amounted to 616.5 K t, reflecting a moderate decline of 4.0% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 3.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 582.2 K t, while the maximum occurred in 2019 at 642.5 K t. The largest decline was in 2018 at 8.9%, and the largest increase was in 2019 with a rise of 10.4%.

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

The structure of imports in kind from 2017 to 2020 can be described as diversified. Belize accounted for 14.8% of imports in kind, Brazil for 11.8%, and South Africa for 10.4%, with these three countries together representing just 36.9% of total flows, and no country held a clearly dominant position.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Northern Europe imported 268.0 M $ US of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, marking a decrease of 2.3% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 19.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 252.6 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 24.0%, while the largest increase was in 2019 with a rise of 8.6%.

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

During 2017 to 2020, raw cane or beet sugar in solid form was supplied to Northern Europe from many different markets. Even the largest destinations—Belize, Brazil, and South Africa—together represented only 32.1% of total imports in value terms.

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

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