Sucrose in solid form market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the sucrose market in Eastern Europe saw volume rise to 10.5 million tonnes in 2019, aided by the introduction of higher-yielding sugar beet varieties that increased domestic production. This growth was reversed in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains and reduced demand, pulling market volume down to 9.8 million tonnes.

Market volume recovered to 10.5 million tonnes in 2021 as sanctions pressure and foreign-trade restrictions encouraged more domestic output and altered import-export flows. Although geopolitical risks intensified in 2022, the imposition of additional limits on sugar exports helped stabilize the market at 10.3 million tonnes. A pronounced expansion followed in 2023, with volume reaching 10.8 million tonnes, driven largely by an increase in the number of operating sugar plants from 29 to 40, which significantly raised processing capacity.

In 2024, authorities introduced a temporary ban on exports of cane or beet sugar and chemically pure sucrose until August 31, aiming to secure domestic supply and continue the pattern of regulatory intervention for market stability.

Production sucrose in solid form in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

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

In Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia), production of sucrose in solid form reached 11 299 thousand metric tons in 2020, marking a slight decrease of 1.7% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 10%, representing a compound annual growth rate of -3.4%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, with a 9.6% decrease, while 2019 saw the largest increase at 1.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of sucrose in solid form production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was $5 854 million in 2020, down 5.3% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value fell by 16.9%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 6.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at $5 455 million, which also saw the steepest drop of 22.5%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase at 13.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports sucrose in solid form from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of decline, exports of sucrose in solid form from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) rebounded in 2020, reaching 2 133 thousand metric tons—a 21.5% increase compared to the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 17.2%, translating to an annualized decline of 6.1%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 1 755 thousand metric tons, which also saw the sharpest drop of 28.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, exports of sucrose in solid form from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were relatively diversified. Kazakhstan accounted for 9.5% of exports in volume, Uzbekistan for 9.3%, and Germany for 5.3%. Together, these three countries represented just 24.2% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year downturn, the value of sucrose in solid form exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) rose in 2020, reaching $1 105 million—a robust increase of 17.1% from the previous year. Despite this, exports declined by 23.6% over the 2017-2020 period, with a compound annual growth rate of -8.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at $944 million, which also experienced the largest decline of 20.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, no single market dominated the value of sucrose in solid form exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia). Kazakhstan contributed 9.6% of export value, Uzbekistan 8.3%, and Germany 6.4%. Combined, these three countries accounted for only 24.2% of total export value, with numerous smaller partners holding modest individual shares.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports sucrose in solid form to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes of sucrose in solid form into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) showed significant volatility, fluctuating by a factor of two between the low of 2017 and the high of 2018. In 2020, imports totaled 671 thousand metric tons, down 7.3% from the previous year. The peak was in 2018 at 1 157 thousand metric tons, which saw the largest increase of 97.8%. The sharpest decline occurred in 2019, with a 37.4% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the import landscape for sucrose in solid form in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was highly diversified. Germany accounted for 15.9% of import volume, Austria for 4.5%, and Serbia for 4.3%. Together, these three countries represented only 24.7% of total import flows, with the remaining 75.3% distributed among many other nations.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of sucrose in solid form imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) reached $541 million, showing a marginal increase of 0.7% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 7.5%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 2.6%. The lowest value was in 2019 at $537 million, which also saw the largest drop of 10.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at $598 million, with the largest increase that year at 2.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, imports of sucrose in solid form into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value terms were spread across a wide range of markets. Germany accounted for 15.2% of import value, Austria for 5.0%, and Serbia for 4.9%. Collectively, these three countries made up just 25.1% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020