Sucrose in solid form market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian sucrose market in solid form showed fluctuating volumes between 2018 and 2021. Market size reached a peak of 1.88 million tonnes in 2019, then declined to 1.73 million tonnes in 2020 and 1.71 million tonnes in 2021. Domestic production followed a similar pattern, peaking at 508 thousand tonnes in 2019 before easing.

Market volume rebounded to 1.85 million tonnes in 2022 and climbed further to 1.96 million tonnes in 2023, the highest level in the period. This growth coincided with a sharp increase in sugar prices within Italy, which more than doubled over three years due to insufficient European and global production, adverse weather events, Brazil's shift to other crops, and reduced export quotas from India. Italy's market remains heavily import-dependent, with annual imports consistently above 1.2 million tonnes.

In the European context, a customs duty of €420 per tonne protects the internal sugar supply chain, with a temporary exemption for Ukrainian imports until mid-2024. Concurrently, growing consumer interest in organic brown sugar and natural sweeteners like stevia began influencing product offerings, reflecting a broader trend towards cleaner labels.

Production sucrose in solid form in Italy

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

Italy produced 498.8 thousand tons of solid sucrose in 2020, marking a slight decrease of 1.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 20.2%, with an average annual decline of 7.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 474.8 thousand tons, which also saw the largest drop of 24.0%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase at 7.0%.

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

Exports sucrose in solid form from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

Italy exported 22 thousand tons of solid sucrose in 2020, showing a notable rise of 10.6% compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 57.8%, with an average annual decline of 25.0%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 20 thousand tons, while the peak was in 2018 at 58 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 65.8%, whereas 2018 saw the biggest increase at 11.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece, France, and Bulgaria were the main markets for Italy's solid sucrose exports in volume terms. Greece accounted for 48.3% of exports, France for 16.7%, and Bulgaria for 11.7%. Together, these three countries represented 76.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Italy's solid sucrose exports in value terms increased in 2020 after a two-year decline, reaching 20.2 million US dollars, which is a 20.6% improvement from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 45.1%, with an average annual decline of 18.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 16.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest drop of 39.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Greece, France, and Germany formed the primary cluster of markets for Italy's solid sucrose exports in value terms. Greece accounted for 33.6% of exports, France for 27.7%, and Germany for 8.0%. Combined, these three countries made up 69.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sucrose in solid form to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

Italy's solid sucrose import volume declined in 2020 after a two-year gain, registering 1 256 thousand tons, which represents a gradual reduction of 9.7% from 2019. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 1 390 thousand tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 8.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and the Netherlands were the primary suppliers of solid sucrose to Italy in volume terms. France accounted for 36.1% of imports, Germany for 35.5%, and the Netherlands for 9.3%. Together, these three countries comprised 80.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Italy's solid sucrose imports in value terms increased in 2020 after a two-year decrease, amounting to 612.6 million US dollars, which is a moderate gain of 4.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 13.9%, with an average annual decline of 4.9%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 584.8 million US dollars, while the largest decline was in 2018 at 14.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Germany, and the Netherlands accounted for the largest share of Italy's solid sucrose imports in value terms. France represented 36.0% of imports, Germany 32.6%, and the Netherlands 9.7%. Combined, these three countries made up 78.3% of total import flows.

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

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