Sugar beet market in Finland

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, sugar beet production in Finland surged from 355 thousand tons to 501 thousand tons. This sharp increase was fueled by Sucros's early conclusion of sectoral agreements with MTK, which provided time to recruit new contract farmers. The company actively expanded cultivation area, highlighting the crop's strong profitability and the push for domestic production.

Output then declined over the following years, falling to 421 thousand tons in 2020 and reaching a low of 380 thousand tons in 2022. The challenging operational environment referenced in the 2022 sectoral agreement, negotiated amid difficult economic conditions, likely contributed to this contraction. The agreement itself included a base price increase to secure farmer profitability during this period.

Production recovered to 421 thousand tons in 2023, driven by historically high beet prices that reached 42 euros per ton. The entry of 270 new contract farmers over 2023 and 2024 expanded the grower base, while a sharp rise in global sugar prices further supported domestic market conditions. Sucros continued its operations, processing approximately 500 million kilograms of beet annually at its Säkylä plant.

Production sugar beet in Finland

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sugar beet, 2017-2020

World map of production of sugar beet, 2017-2020

Finland's sugar beet production in 2020 reached 421.5 thousand tonnes, marking a 15.9% decrease compared to the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 355.4 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 501.4 thousand tonnes. The most significant production decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 17.4%, whereas the largest increase was observed in 2019, with growth of 41.1%.

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

Exports sugar beet from Finland

Available market data indicates that Finland did not export any sugar beet between 2017 and 2020.

Imports sugar beet to Finland

Imports in kind, kg

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2018, with a 540-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Finland's sugar beet imports totaled 15 kilograms, representing a 94.7% decrease from 2019. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 8,101 kilograms. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019, falling by 96.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 563.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Finland in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Poland dominated Finland's sugar beet imports in volume, accounting for 79.0% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller destinations.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import values hit their lowest in 2020 and peaked in 2018, with a 184-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Finland's sugar beet import value was recorded at 322 US dollars, down by 94.4% from the previous year. The maximum value was in 2018 at 59,181 US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with growth of 527.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Poland and Japan together accounted for 95.2% of Finland's total sugar beet import value. The remaining share was spread across other destinations, each contributing smaller individual amounts.

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

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