Sugar beet market in Denmark

Earlier Report Observations

The Danish sugar beet market for human consumption grew steadily from 2.1 million tons in 2018 to a peak of 2.6 million tons in 2021. This expansion was initially supported by updated area recommendations that obligated growers to sow acreage matching their contracted volumes with sugar factories, ensuring a committed supply base. The market's structure was dominated by two major processing plants owned by Nordic Sugar, providing stable processing capacity throughout the period.

Market volume then contracted by 10.8% to 2.3 million tons in 2022. While ten new beet varieties were introduced that year to offer growers better yield and disease resistance, and the area for organic beet cultivation expanded significantly, these developments did not offset the overall decline. In 2023, the market stabilized at 2.3 million tons, influenced by a new competitiveness agreement between Nordic Sugar and Danish beet growers, though a persistent trend of reducing the number of growers and cultivated acreage continued to shape the supply side.

Industry developments in subsequent years included the planning of new nitrogen regulations from 2027, ongoing research into gene-editing technologies for crops, and the formal establishment of organic sugar production from Danish beets. However, these factors did not yet impact the reported market volume data through 2023.

Production sugar beet in Denmark

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Denmark ranked 19th globally in sugar beet production.

Top producers of sugar beet, 2018-2021

World map of production of sugar beet, 2018-2021

Sugar beet production in Denmark grew for the third consecutive year. In 2021, Denmark produced 2 573 K t of sugar beet, marking a 0.6% increase from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production rose by 22.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 6.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports sugar beet from Denmark

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Export volumes varied significantly, with a 157-fold difference between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020. In 2021, Denmark's sugar beet exports totaled 479 t, representing an 87.5% decline from the previous year. The peak was recorded in 2020 at 3 851 t, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 14,475.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands and Spain were the dominant destinations for sugar beet exports in kind, together accounting for 91.4% of total flows, with the remainder distributed among other markets.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Denmark in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed volatility during this period. Export values fluctuated widely, with an 83-fold gap between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020. In 2021, sugar beet exports from Denmark amounted to 123 K $ US, indicating an 85.6% drop from the previous year. The maximum value was reached in 2020 at 858 K $ US, and the largest increase was in 2019, with a rise of 5,692.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Denmark in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands and Spain remained the key destinations for sugar beet exports in value terms, jointly representing 89.3% of total flows, while other partners contributed much less individually.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Denmark in value, 2018-2021

Imports sugar beet to Denmark

Imports in kind, t

The market demonstrated volatility over the observed period. Import volumes showed a 41-fold variation from the low in 2018 to the peak in 2020. In 2021, Denmark imported 25 951 t of sugar beet, reflecting a substantial 15.5% decrease from the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2020 at 30 711 t, and the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a surge of 2,209.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands and France were the main sources for sugar beet imports in kind, together accounting for 80.1% of total flows, with the remaining share split among other markets.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Denmark in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Denmark's sugar beet imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports amounted to 5 975 K $ US, showing a modest 5.3% improvement from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 1,934.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 173.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Denmark in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands (64.2% of imports in value terms), France (13.6%), and Germany (10.2%) consistently held leading positions in Denmark's import structure in value terms, jointly accounting for 88.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Denmark in value, 2018-2021