Sugar beet market in Austria

Earlier Report Observations

Austrian sugar beet production began the period at 2 150 тыс. т in 2018, facing immediate challenges from a weevil infestation that destroyed up to 70% of the crop area, compounded by a drought starting in April. The abolition of the EU sugar quota in 2017 had also led to a price drop, reducing farm profitability. These persistent pest problems and difficult economic conditions pushed production down to 1 965 тыс. т in 2019. A modest recovery to 2 092 тыс. т followed in 2020, though output remained constrained by these ongoing pressures.

Production surged sharply to 3 017 тыс. т in 2021. The subsequent year saw a decline to 2 710 тыс. т after the introduction of a neonicotinoid ban and crop rotation requirements, which severely limited plant protection options for farmers. By 2023, output stabilized at 2 676 тыс. т. The market during this later phase was significantly shaped by high import pressure from Ukraine, which suppressed prices, though rising sugar prices simultaneously made beet cultivation more attractive.

Production sugar beet in Austria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Austria ranked as the world's 20th largest producer of sugar beet.

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 Austria increased in 2020. That year, the country produced 2 092 K t of sugar beet, marking a modest 6.4% improvement compared to 2019. However, over the entire 2017-2020 period, production fell by 30.1%, with an average annual decline of 11.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 965 K t, while the steepest drop occurred in 2018 with a 28.2% decrease.

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

Exports sugar beet from Austria

Exports in kind, t

Sugar beet exports from Austria declined for the second year in a row. In 2019, exports totaled 1 176 t, showing a dramatic 96.1% drop compared to 2018. Over the 2017-2019 period, exports decreased by 98.4%, with an average annual decline of 74.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia and Switzerland together accounted for 99.8% of Austria's total sugar beet exports in volume, indicating a highly concentrated export market.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Sugar beet exports from Austria declined for the second consecutive year. In 2019, Austria exported sugar beet worth 1 178 K $ US, reflecting a sharp 66.1% year-over-year decline. Between 2017 and 2019, exports decreased by 83.4%, equating to an average annual decline of 45.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Czechia played a dominant role in Austria's sugar beet exports in value terms, consistently accounting for 91.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sugar beet to Austria

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 32 110 105-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Austria imported 49 601 t of sugar beet, reflecting a sharp 4 911.5% increase compared to 2019. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 94 726 t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 99.0% drop, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 32 110 380.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Slovakia and Hungary together formed the main group of suppliers for Austria's sugar beet imports in volume, accounting for 99.8% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 6 620-fold difference between these years. In 2020, sugar beet deliveries to Austria amounted to 1 942 K $ US, representing a dramatic 5 717.8% increase compared to 2019. The maximum import value was recorded in 2018 at 3 222 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 99.0% drop, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 661 857.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the country structure of Austria's sugar beet imports in value terms was strongly concentrated, with Slovakia and Hungary together accounting for 98.8% of total import flows, while other partners formed a residual share.

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

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