Sugar beet market in Americas

Earlier Report Observations

Sugar beet production in the Americas began the period at a high of 34 004 thousand tonnes in 2018, bolstered by the recovery of Brazil's sugar industry from financial crisis through increased investments and favorable weather. The market volume then contracted sharply to 28 267 thousand tonnes in 2019 before rebounding to 32 923 thousand tonnes in 2020.

Production continued to expand, reaching 35 373 thousand tonnes in 2021. A decline to 31 628 thousand tonnes followed in 2022, a year marked by sanctions on Russia and related geopolitical tensions which disrupted global supply chains and market conditions. The market recovered partially to 33 792 thousand tonnes in 2023, aided by the entry of new processing capacity as Astarta’s first two sugar plants commenced operations in late 2022.

In value terms, the market demonstrated resilience with prices significantly influencing trends. A global spike in sugar beet export prices of 67% in 2022 helped sustain the market value at $28.5 billion despite lower volume. Ongoing investments in precision agriculture and breeding technologies are further shaping the production landscape.

Production sugar beet in Americas

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sugar beet, 2017-2020

World map of production of sugar beet, 2017-2020

After two consecutive years of decline, sugar beet production in the Americas rebounded in 2020. That year, the region produced 32 923 thousand tons of sugar beet, marking a significant increase of 16.5% compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 5%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 28 267 thousand tons, when output dropped by 16.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of sugar beet production in the Americas declined for the third year in a row in 2020. Output was valued at 18 800 million US dollars, reflecting a moderate decrease of 6.8% from the previous year. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 33.8%, averaging an annual decline of 12.9%.

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

Exports sugar beet from Americas

Exports in kind, t

The export market for sugar beet from the Americas showed considerable volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 61.3 tons, before surging to a peak of 144.6 tons in 2020. This represents a dramatic increase of 136.1% year-over-year and a 2.4-fold difference between the two years. The sharpest decline occurred in 2019, when exports fell by 56.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece and Germany were the main destinations for sugar beet exports from the Americas in volume terms, together accounting for 1.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values exhibited significant fluctuations in these years. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 110.2 thousand US dollars, while the lowest was in 2019 at 43.7 thousand US dollars, resulting in a 2.5-fold variation. In 2020, exports rebounded to 82.6 thousand US dollars, an increase of 89.0% compared to the previous year. The most substantial decline took place in 2019, when export value dropped by 60.4%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, South Korea and Germany dominated the export market in value terms, jointly representing 2.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sugar beet to Americas

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes for sugar beet in the Americas were highly volatile. The peak occurred in 2017, followed by a trough in 2018 at 5.6 tons, creating a 25-fold gap between these years. In 2020, imports rose to 36.2 tons, a substantial year-over-year increase of 404.7%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, when imports fell by 96.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China and the Netherlands were the primary sources for sugar beet imports into the Americas in volume terms, together making up 4.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values displayed irregular patterns, highlighting a volatile market. The high point was in 2017, while the low was in 2018 at 13.0 thousand US dollars, with a 9.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports increased to 31.9 thousand US dollars, up by 97.6% compared to 2019. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, when import value declined by 89.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and China were the key sources for sugar beet imports into the Americas in value terms. Germany accounted for 13.5% of imports, the Netherlands for 5.0%, and China for 3.4%, together representing 21.9% of total import flows.

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

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