Sucrose in solid form market in Denmark

Earlier Report Observations

Following the abolition of the EU's sugar quota system in 2017, which liberalized the market and removed minimum prices, market forces strengthened in Denmark. This contributed to a steady rise in domestic sucrose production, which increased from 354 thousand tons in 2018 to 385 thousand tons in 2021. The establishment of a high-level EU expert group on sugar in 2018 to discuss market developments, prices, and trade further highlighted the evolving regulatory landscape. During this phase, the domestic market volume grew to 270 thousand tons in 2019, supported by this production growth and a concurrent decrease in exports.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 directly affected export and import patterns for organic foodstuffs, including sugar. This disruption led to a marked increase in sucrose exports and a drop in imports, which—alongside a continued industry and consumer focus on sugar reduction in food products—drove a decline in the domestic market volume. The market shrank from 270 thousand tons in 2019 to 238 thousand tons in 2020 and further to 218 thousand tons in 2021, as health awareness began to impact consumption.

In the following years, sustained consumer shifts toward sugar-free soft drinks and the use of natural sweeteners maintained pressure on traditional sucrose demand. New guidelines on chemical regulation and workplace safety in the food industry, including acoustic rules for production facilities, added to the operational context for sugar beet processors. After reaching a low of 183 thousand tons in 2022, the market volume recovered to 211 thousand tons in 2023. Recent sector developments include proposals to permanently abolish the national chocolate and sugar tax from 2026 and investments by plants like Nordic Sugar in electrification to reduce energy costs.

Production sucrose in solid form in Denmark

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of sucrose in solid form, 2018-2021

World map of production of sucrose in solid form, 2018-2021

Denmark's production of sucrose in solid form has grown for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 385.3 K t, marking a slight increase of 1.8% compared to 2020. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production rose by 8.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Denmark's production value of sucrose in solid form rebounded in 2021. The output was valued at 226.8 M $ US, reflecting a significant advance of 10.0% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production increased by 6.1%, with an annualized rate of 2.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 206.2 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 2.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Denmark in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports sucrose in solid form from Denmark

Exports in kind, K t

Denmark's exports of sucrose in solid form have increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, export volume reached 203.7 K t, up by 19.3% compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 36.1%, averaging an annual rate of 10.8%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 139.7 K t, which experienced the largest decline of 6.6%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2020 with a 22.2% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Between 2018 and 2021, Norway, Greece, and Ireland were the top destinations for Denmark's sucrose exports in kind. Norway accounted for 52.2% of exports, Greece for 11.9%, and Ireland for 7.6%, together making up 71.6% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Denmark in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Denmark's export value of sucrose in solid form has risen for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 119.9 M $ US, a substantial increase of 28.8% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value grew by 32.7%, with an annualized rate of 9.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 79.7 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 11.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Denmark in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Norway, Sweden, and Greece formed the core of Denmark's sucrose exports in value terms. Norway led with 55.7% of exports, followed by Sweden at 10.4%, and Greece at 8.2%, collectively representing 74.3% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Denmark in value, 2018-2021

Imports sucrose in solid form to Denmark

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year drop, Denmark's imports of sucrose in solid form increased in 2021. The country imported 36.3 K t, up by 16.3% from the previous year. However, over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 22.6%, averaging an annual decline of 8.2%. The lowest volume was in 2020 at 31.2 K t, which also experienced the largest decline of 20.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Throughout 2018-2021, Sweden, Germany, and Poland were the main sources of sucrose imports in kind for Denmark. Sweden accounted for 27.5% of imports, Germany for 26.9%, and Poland for 13.3%, together making up 67.7% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Denmark in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decrease, Denmark's import value of sucrose in solid form rose in 2021. Imports were valued at 29.7 M $ US, a notable advance of 13.4% compared to the prior year. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value fell by 18.8%, with an annualized decline of 6.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 26.2 M $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 16.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Denmark in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Sweden, Germany, and the Netherlands were the primary suppliers of sucrose in solid form to Denmark in value terms. Sweden led with 31.6% of imports, followed by Germany at 21.6%, and the Netherlands at 10.2%, jointly accounting for 63.4% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Denmark in value, 2018-2021