Sugar beet market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

Sugar beet production in Eastern Asia rose from 14.9 million tons in 2018 to a peak of 16.3 million tons in 2019, supported by strong domestic demand for sugar as the local beet sugar industry was still in a development phase. The subsequent slight dip to 15.9 million tons in 2020 coincided with the rapid expansion of the sugar substitute sector, which saw a surge in new market entrants and investment activity, subtly reshaping sweetener demand.

Production dropped sharply to 11.9 million tons in 2021. A sustained recovery began in 2022, reaching 12.6 million tons by 2023, primarily driven by the national sugar security strategy. This policy shifted the industry's focus to regions with better resources like Xinjiang, significantly increasing beet sowing area and raising mechanization levels above 95%, which bolstered output.

Industry reports for 2024 indicate a continued emphasis on this strategic shift, with beet planting area expanding by approximately 29% in key regions and full-process mechanization rates exceeding 95%. These measures, aimed at optimizing the sugar production structure and reducing import dependency, point to a consolidated trend of state-supported market expansion.

Production sugar beet in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sugar beet, 2017-2020

World map of production of sugar beet, 2017-2020

Eastern Asia's sugar beet production saw a decline after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 16,259 thousand tons, but by 2020 it had fallen to 15,896 thousand tons, representing a 2.2% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually increased by 19.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 6.2%. The most significant year-over-year increase occurred in 2018, when production jumped by 12.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Eastern Asia's sugar beet production value declined for the second year in a row. In 2018, the value peaked at 8,419 million US dollars, but by 2020 it had dropped to 8,016 million US dollars, showing a modest decrease of 2.7% from 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, the overall value increased by 18.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.8%. The largest single-year increase was recorded in 2018, when the value surged by 24.3%.

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

Exports sugar beet from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, t

Eastern Asia's sugar beet exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2018, exports reached their highest point at 2,409 tons, but by 2020 they had fallen sharply to 782 tons, marking a 62.8% drop from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 60.2% overall, which corresponds to an average annual decline of 26.4%. The most notable increase occurred in 2018, when exports grew by 22.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia dominated Eastern Asia's sugar beet exports in volume, accounting for 98.8% of the total trade flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Sugar beet exports from Eastern Asia fell for the second year in a row. The value peaked in 2018 at 1,362 thousand US dollars, but by 2020 it had dropped to 394 thousand US dollars, representing a 63.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value declined by 60.6%, with an average annual reduction of 26.7%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, when the value rose by 36.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia was the nearly exclusive buyer of sugar beet from Eastern Asia in value terms, purchasing 94.1% of total exports.

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

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

Imports sugar beet to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, t

The import volume of sugar beet into Eastern Asia showed significant volatility during this period. In 2018, imports hit their lowest point at just 3 tons, but by 2020 they had risen to 12 tons, reflecting a 16.7% increase from 2019. The most dramatic changes occurred in 2018, with a 63.8% decline, and in 2019, with a 270.9% surge. Overall, from 2018 to 2020, the difference between the peak and trough was 4.3 times.

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

During 2017–2020, the United States and Asia, not elsewhere specified, were the primary sources for sugar beet imports into Eastern Asia by volume, together making up 32.3% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, sugar beet imports into Eastern Asia were valued at 11 thousand US dollars, which is 29.3% lower than in 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 10 thousand US dollars. Over the four years from 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 31.4%, with an average annual decline of 11.8%. The most significant drops and rises occurred in 2018, with a 39.1% decrease, and in 2019, with a 59.3% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Asia, not elsewhere specified, remained the key partners for sugar beet imports into Eastern Asia by value, jointly accounting for 62.5% of total import flows.

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

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