Sugar beet market in Czechia

Earlier Report Observations

The Czech sugar beet market underwent a structural shift following the abolition of EU sugar production quotas in late 2017, which removed planting restrictions and opened the sector to free competition. The initial years of this new regime were characterized by challenging weather patterns, including droughts in 2018 and 2019 that suppressed yields, followed by excessive rainfall and fungal diseases in 2020 which hampered harvest quality and sugar content. These agronomic pressures, coupled with market uncertainty introduced by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulted in a period of constrained production, with annual output hovering around 3.7 million tonnes.

Market conditions improved markedly in 2021, as a more favorable growing season with reduced disease pressure and an expansion of sown area to over 63 000 hectares led to a sharp production increase to over 4.1 million tonnes. This rebound was short-lived, however, as the sector faced mounting cost pressures from rising prices for energy, fertilizers, and labor in 2022 and 2023, which contributed to a subsequent decline in output. During this period, the market saw the entry of new sugar beet suppliers, a development triggered by the closure of the Hrušovany sugar factory, while evolving consumer preferences for healthier ingredients began to shape longer-term demand dynamics.

Production sugar beet in Czechia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Czechia ranked as the 15th largest producer of sugar beet between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of sugar beet, 2017-2020

World map of production of sugar beet, 2017-2020

Following a two-year decline, Czechia's sugar beet production rebounded. In 2020, production reached 3 671 K t, showing only minor fluctuations compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 16.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -5.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 3 661 K t, while the steepest decline occurred in 2018 at 15.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of sugar beet output in Czechia was 743.9 M $ US, down 17.1% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 11.4%, translating to an annualized decline of 4.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 897.8 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 8.9%.

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

Exports sugar beet from Czechia

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed significant volatility during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 at 0.4 K t and peaked in 2020 at 1.9 K t, representing a fivefold difference. In 2020, Czechia's sugar beet exports surged by 62.3% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 68.7%, while the biggest increase was in 2019 at 208.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovenia (47.4% of exports in kind), Germany (22.8%), and Slovakia (15.0%) were consistently the main destinations for Czechia's sugar beet exports, collectively accounting for 85.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Export values hit their lowest point in 2018 at 83 K $ US and reached their maximum in 2020 at 382 K $ US, a 4.6-fold difference. In 2020, foreign sugar beet supplies from Czechia increased by 34.1% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 63.7%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2019 at 241.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Slovenia (43.5% of exports in value terms), Germany (21.4%), and Slovakia (16.2%) were the primary destinations for Czechia's sugar beet exports by value, together representing 81.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sugar beet to Czechia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Czechia's sugar beet import volume stood at 180.6 K t, up 19.5% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 23.1%, with a CAGR of 7.2%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 200.4 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 24.6%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 36.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovakia (55.5% of imports in kind), Poland (19.8%), and Austria (14.1%) were the leading suppliers of sugar beet to Czechia, together accounting for 89.3% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decrease, Czechia's sugar beet import value rose. In 2020, imports amounted to 7 606 K $ US, marking a 21.9% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value fell by 15.8%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 5.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 6 239 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 29.9%.

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

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

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