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

Earlier Report Observations

After the abolition of EU sugar production quotas in 2017, the Western European market for raw cane or beet sugar entered a more competitive phase. Market volume rose to 42.3 thousand tonnes in 2019, driven by increased imports of raw sugar under inward processing arrangements and the entry of new players into cane sugar refining, which expanded supply. However, in 2020, volume declined to 40.6 thousand tonnes as unfavorable weather conditions damaged beet and cane crops across Europe and Asia, while the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily reduced demand for sugar in ethanol production.

The market contracted further to 38.4 thousand tonnes in 2021 after the EU fully opened its borders to Ukrainian sugar imports, heightening competition and pressuring domestic beet sugar production. This downward trend continued in 2022, with volume falling to 34.3 thousand tonnes as sugar beet area in the EU declined for the third consecutive year, influenced by low world sugar prices and more attractive returns from alternative crops like wheat and rapeseed.

A sharp recovery occurred in 2023, with market volume jumping to 51.7 thousand tonnes. This was primarily due to a strong European beet harvest that yielded a production surplus and increased export capacity, supplemented by rising imports of Ukrainian sugar which added to available supply.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, M 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 2019, Western Europe produced 40.6 million metric tons of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, which represented a 4.1% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 30%, with an average annual decline of 11.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 38.3 million metric tons. That same year saw the largest decline of 34.0%, while 2019 experienced the biggest increase at 10.6%.

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

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

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Western Europe exported 171.6 thousand metric tons of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, marking a significant 10.5% drop compared to 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 36.9%, translating to an average annual decline of 14.2%. The lowest export volume occurred in 2018 at 133.9 thousand metric tons. That year also recorded the steepest decline of 50.8%, while 2019 saw the largest increase of 43.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Western Europe exported raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to numerous countries. Even the top three destinations—Italy, Spain, and Portugal—collectively accounted for just 47.9% of total export volume during this period.

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, M $ US

Western Europe's exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 117.8 million US dollars, reflecting a gradual year-over-year decrease of 3.6%. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 30.3%, with an average annual decline of 11.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Western Europe's export partners for raw cane or beet sugar in solid form were quite diverse in value terms. Italy accounted for 15.9% of export value, Spain for 11.8%, and Portugal for 7.6%, with these three countries together representing only 35.4% of total export 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 raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Western Europe imported approximately 193.9 thousand metric tons of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, showing a modest 7.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports declined by 6.5%, averaging a 2.2% annual drop. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 160.7 thousand metric tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 209.0 thousand metric tons. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 22.5%, and the biggest increase was in 2019 at 30.0%.

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

The import market for raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in Western Europe was broad from 2017 to 2020. Brazil accounted for 12.6% of import volume, Mauritius for 10.4%, and Cuba for 8.6%, with these three countries together making up just 31.5% of total flows. The remaining 68.5% was distributed among many other countries.

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, M $ US

Imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form into Western Europe declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, import value stood at 178.9 million US dollars, showing only a slight fluctuation compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 11.4%, with an average annual decline of 4.0%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, no single country dominated Western Europe's imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in value terms. Mauritius accounted for 11.1% of import value, Brazil for 10.3%, and Colombia for 7.7%, with these three together taking only 29.1% of total imports. Many smaller partners each held modest individual shares.

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

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