Sucrose in solid form market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the Belgian sucrose market volume stood at 692 thousand tons, following the abolition of European sugar quotas in October 2017, which eliminated minimum beet prices and altered market management mechanisms. This contributed to industrial consolidation, reducing the number of production units to three by 2018. Unfavorable weather conditions lowered beet yields, but production remained high at 898 thousand tons. By 2019, market volume increased to 826 thousand tons, partly due to improved sugar yields in Belgium and Germany, as well as the use of sugar production by-products for bioethanol by CropEnergies. From 2020 to 2021, the market stabilized around 780-785 thousand tons, as investments continued in sugar mill sustainability and price pressure from international competition limited growth.

A sharp rise in market volume to 995 thousand tons occurred in 2022, when global raw material shortages and high oil prices pushed world sugar prices upward, stimulating production and imports. Belgian producers, however, faced increased price pressure. In 2023, the market slightly declined to 969 thousand tons, despite record investments in the related chemical industry. Adverse weather during the 2023-2024 beet campaign led to crop losses, and from September 2024, a sharp drop in European sugar prices began. Growing imports of raw sugar under the active processing scheme, accounting for over 50% of total EU raw sugar imports, also influenced market dynamics.

In 2024, new regulations came into effect, including a royal decree on water quality in food production and revised rules for chemical classification and labeling. The Belgian government welcomed European Commission attention to suspending the active processing scheme for sugar, amid high imports under this regime. Consumer preferences shifted towards organic and natural sugars, affecting production and marketing, while companies like Raffinerie Tirlemontoise and Iscal Sugar continued investing in sustainability and carbon neutrality.

Production sucrose in solid form in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sucrose in solid form, 2017-2020

World map of production of sucrose in solid form, 2017-2020

Belgium's production of sucrose in solid form has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 832.2 K t, which represents a 4.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 16.6%, translating to an annualized decline rate of 5.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Belgium's sucrose in solid form production saw an increase in value. In 2020, the output was valued at 421.1 M $ US, marking a 10.1% year-over-year rise. However, over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 22.3%, with an annualized rate of 8.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 382.4 M $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 27.7%.

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

Exports sucrose in solid form from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

Belgium's export volume of sucrose in solid form fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 402.4 K t, reflecting a 10.6% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports declined by 26.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.7%. The peak export volume was in 2018 at 717.7 K t, with the largest decline of 37.3% occurring in 2019 and the largest increase of 31.2% recorded in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium's exports of sucrose in solid form were distributed relatively evenly across markets. The Netherlands accounted for 17.1% of exports, Germany for 12.2%, and Greece for 9.4%, with these three countries together making up only 38.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Belgium's export value of sucrose in solid form stood at 203.6 M $ US, showing a 3.4% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, however, exports decreased by 31.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -11.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 196.9 M $ US, while the highest was in 2018 at 313.1 M $ US. The largest decline of 37.1% occurred in 2019, and the largest increase of 5.4% was in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium's exports of sucrose in solid form in value terms were spread across numerous markets. The Netherlands represented 16.9% of exports, Germany 15.5%, and Greece 9.5%, with these three countries collectively accounting for just 42.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sucrose in solid form to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

Belgium's imports of sucrose in solid form declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, import volume was recorded at 355.8 K t, indicating a significant drop of 11.5% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 34.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -13.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Germany, and the Netherlands were the top suppliers of sucrose in solid form to Belgium. France accounted for 37.6% of imports, Germany for 30.8%, and the Netherlands for 19.3%, with their combined share reaching 87.7% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, Belgium's import value of sucrose in solid form increased. In 2020, imports were valued at 164.9 M $ US, showing a 7.4% rise compared to the previous year. However, from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 45.8%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 18.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 164.9 M $ US, with the largest decline of 31.6% also occurring in that year.

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

During 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and the Netherlands formed the main cluster of markets for Belgium's imports of sucrose in solid form in value terms. France represented 32.7% of imports, Germany 32.0%, and the Netherlands 19.2%, with their combined share totaling 83.9% of total import flows.

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

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