Sucrose in solid form market in the Netherlands

Earlier Report Observations

Following the reforms of the European sugar market in 2017, which strengthened the Netherlands' integration into global trade, the market volume of chemically pure sucrose in solid form increased from 644 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 868 thousand tonnes in 2021. This growth occurred despite a decline in domestic production, as exports significantly dropped from 928 thousand tonnes to 511 thousand tonnes over the same period.

Production recovered sharply in 2022 to 1 338 thousand tonnes, driving the market volume to a peak of 1 007 thousand tonnes. However, in 2023, production fell to 1 294 thousand tonnes and the market declined to 881 thousand tonnes. The 2023 production was affected by logistical operations, including the transport of 400 thousand tonnes of sugar beets via inland waterways by Cosun Beet Company, as well as technical challenges such as the impact of harmful nitrogen-containing substances on sugar purification processes.

For 2024, the sugar beet harvest exceeded 350 thousand tonnes, providing direct support for domestic sucrose production. Consumer preferences continue to shift towards natural ingredients, which influences demand for pure sucrose.

Production sucrose in solid form in the Netherlands

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

The Netherlands has seen its production of sucrose in solid form decline for three consecutive years. In 2020, the country produced 1 192 K t of sucrose in solid form, representing a 1.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 12.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 4.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, the Netherlands experienced an increase in the value of its sucrose in solid form production. In 2020, the output was valued at 663.6 M $ US, marking a significant rise of 10.6% over the previous year. However, over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 21.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 600.2 M $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 28.6%.

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

Exports sucrose in solid form from the Netherlands

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, the Netherlands exported 596.7 K t of sucrose in solid form, which was 4.2% higher than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 2.6%, equating to an average annual decline of 0.9%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 572.8 K t, while the peak was in 2018 at 927.9 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 38.3% drop, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a 51.4% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Italy, and Belgium were key buyers of sucrose in solid form from the Netherlands, accounting for 16.4%, 14.9%, and 12.7% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share made up only 44.0% of total exports, with the remaining 56.0% distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the Netherlands exported sucrose in solid form valued at 332.2 M $ US, reflecting a substantial increase of 16.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 12.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 284.3 M $ US, while the highest was in 2018 at 456.9 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 37.8% drop, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a 20.3% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export structure in value terms remained highly diversified. Germany, Italy, and Belgium accounted for 18.3%, 15.8%, and 13.2% of exports in value, respectively, but together they represented only 47.3% of total flows. The remaining 52.7% was made up of a wide range of smaller markets.

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

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

Imports sucrose in solid form to the Netherlands

Imports in kind, K t

Import data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. In 2020, the Netherlands imported approximately 214.6 K t of sucrose in solid form, down by 9.8% year-on-year. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with the lowest point in 2017 and the peak in 2018 at 350.4 K t, representing a two-fold difference. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 32.1% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 98.2% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, France, and Germany were the main sources of sucrose in solid form imports to the Netherlands, accounting for 31.2%, 26.3%, and 22.9% of imports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 80.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the Netherlands imported sucrose in solid form valued at 128.4 M $ US, representing a measured gain of 7.6% compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 119.3 M $ US, while the highest was in 2018 at 180.0 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 33.7% drop, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a 41.7% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium, Germany, and France continued to lead as suppliers of sucrose in solid form to the Netherlands, accounting for 26.6%, 22.8%, and 21.2% of imports in value terms, respectively. Collectively, they represented 70.6% of total import value.

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

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