Raw cane or beet sugar in solid form market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Swiss raw sugar production was shaped by the European Union's agricultural policy, particularly the abolition of sugar production quotas in the EU, which led to increased supply and falling prices that affected Switzerland through bilateral agreements. Despite these challenges, federal and cantonal aid along with technical support allowed a slight recovery in beet cultivation area from 2018, contributing to a production increase to 1 692 thousand tonnes in 2019. In 2020, intense competition among European sugar factories, resulting in several plant closures in the EU, negatively impacted the Swiss market via the bilateral accords, causing sugar and beet prices to drop and coinciding with a production decline to 1 493 thousand tonnes.

The downturn continued in 2021 when unfavorable weather conditions severely reduced sugar beet yields, pushing production down to 1 265 thousand tonnes. A sharp reversal occurred in 2022 after the Swiss federal chambers extended sector support measures, including a minimum customs protection of CHF 7 per 100 kg of sugar and a special contribution of CHF 2 100 per hectare of beets until 2026, while the interprofessional sugar organization raised the base and reference prices for the beet harvest. These incentives, coupled with rising world sugar prices, encouraged an expansion of beet area and drove production up to 1 570 thousand tonnes. In 2023, production decreased to 1 385 thousand tonnes amid broader inflationary pressures on food prices.

Production raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in Switzerland

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

Switzerland produced 1 493 thousand tonnes of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in 2020, which represents an 11.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 18%, translating to an average annual decline of 6.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 482 thousand tonnes. The sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with an 18.6% decrease, while the largest increase was seen in 2019 with a 14.1% rise.

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

Exports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from Switzerland

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 14.8-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Switzerland exported 2 039 tonnes of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, marking a sharp decline of 47.9% from the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 917 tonnes. The most substantial increase occurred in 2018 with a 614.5% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland's exports in kind were heavily concentrated on Germany, which accounted for 72.0% of total flows. The remaining volume was distributed among other trading partners.

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 displayed an unstable trend throughout this period. Exports in value terms bottomed out in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 5.4-fold difference. In 2020, the value of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form exported from Switzerland was 1 574 thousand US dollars, down by 21.3% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 001 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 191.7% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany dominated Switzerland's exports in value terms, capturing 79.7% of total flows. Other countries collectively accounted for 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 raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to Switzerland

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Switzerland imported 7 568 tonnes of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, reflecting an 8.3% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 42.3%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 12.5%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 with a 6.3% decrease, while the most significant increase occurred in 2018 with a 40.2% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mauritius, Paraguay, and Eswatini were the top contributors to Switzerland's imports in kind. Mauritius accounted for 44.4% of imports, Paraguay for 18.3%, and Eswatini for 9.4%. Together, these three countries represented 72.0% 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

Switzerland imported raw cane or beet sugar in solid form worth 7 100 thousand US dollars in 2020, showing a modest increase of 7.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 31%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 7 528 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 12.0% drop, while the most substantial increase was in 2018 with a 38.9% rise.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Mauritius, Paraguay, and Eswatini remained the primary sources for Switzerland's imports in value terms. Mauritius accounted for 37.1% of imports, Paraguay for 18.2%, and Eswatini for 7.8%. Collectively, these three markets represented 63.1% 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