Sugar beet market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The Asian sugar beet market volume showed considerable variation from 2018 to 2023, starting at 40.5 million metric tons and reaching 44.4 million metric tons. This period was fundamentally shaped by consistent state policy reinforcing the industry as part of a national sugar security strategy, which accelerated a geographical shift of production toward Xinjiang following severe flooding in Heilongjiang years earlier.

Market growth was particularly strong in 2020, exceeding 10%, supported by rising planting areas and direct policy guidance from agricultural authorities. After a contraction of 21% in 2021, the market rebounded in 2022 and 2023. This recovery was powered by the widespread adoption of mechanization, with rates surpassing 95%, and the ongoing promotion of high-yield crop varieties. By 2023, a nearly 30% expansion of beet planting area in Inner Mongolia and record-high acreage in Xinjiang drove a 16% annual increase in market volume.

The market structure evolved with the entry of new seed companies and a gradual increase in the use of genetically modified seeds. Major sugar beet processing enterprises simultaneously invested in new production bases and technological upgrades to bolster competitiveness, while growing consumer preference for healthier sugar products encouraged product diversification and innovation.

Production sugar beet in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sugar beet, 2017-2020

World map of production of sugar beet, 2017-2020

Asia's sugar beet production has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 45 851 thousand tons of sugar beet, representing a 10.1% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 2.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 40 534 thousand tons, with the largest decline of 9.5% also occurring that year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Asia's sugar beet production value rebounded. In 2020, the output was valued at 23 629 million US dollars, showing a moderate increase of 9.9% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, production value decreased by 14.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 21 508 million US dollars, while the largest drop of 21.2% took place in 2018.

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

Exports sugar beet from Asia

Exports in kind, t

Sugar beet exports from Asia have fallen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 1 002 tons of sugar beet, which is 54.4% lower than in 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 65.6%, with a compound annual decline rate of 29.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia and the United States were the top markets for Asia's sugar beet exports in volume terms, together accounting for 19.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Sugar beet exports from Asia have declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, export value reached 516 thousand US dollars, marking a 54.5% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 71.4%, with a compound annual decline rate of 34.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia and the United States remained the leading markets for Asia's sugar beet exports in value terms, together representing 79.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sugar beet to Asia

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. In 2018, imports hit their lowest point at 981 tons, while the highest volume was recorded in 2017, creating a 3.5-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Asia imported 1 937 tons of sugar beet, which is a 24.3% increase from the previous year. The largest decline of 71.5% occurred in 2018, followed by the biggest increase of 58.8% in 2019.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, the Netherlands (4.0% of import volume), South Africa (1.1%), and Egypt (0.9%) were the largest contributors to Asia's sugar beet imports in kind, together accounting for 5.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Asia's sugar beet import value reached 1 101 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 12.4% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 58.8%, with a compound annual decline rate of 25.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 997 thousand US dollars, when the largest decline of 62.7% occurred. The following year, in 2019, imports saw the biggest increase of 26.1%.

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

An analysis of import values from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across many markets. The Netherlands (19.1% of import value), South Africa (6.9%), and Egypt (2.0%) together accounted for only 27.9% of total flows, with the remaining 72.1% spread among other trading partners.

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

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