Sugar beet market in France

Earlier Report Observations

Following the abolition of EU sugar production quotas and the minimum beet price in late 2017, the French sugar beet market initially expanded planting areas. However, a global supply glut caused sugar prices to collapse from late 2017, reducing grower profitability. This downturn was exacerbated by severe drought and the spread of virus yellows disease, which significantly cut yields. The situation reached a critical point in 2020 when the ban on neonicotinoid pesticides, fully effective that year, left beet crops unprotected against aphids transmitting yellows, causing production to fall sharply to 26.2 million tonnes.

Successive harvest shortfalls from 2019 to 2021 tightened global sugar supplies, pushing prices to their highest levels in over a decade and encouraging a partial production recovery. This context included the closure of the Téréos sugar factory at Escaudoeuvres. However, an exceptional drought in 2022 again severely limited yields. Despite beet prices reaching a record €55 per tonne in 2023, the market volume remained subdued at 30.6 million tonnes, reflecting persistent climatic and phytosanitary pressures.

The industry structure continued to consolidate around five major sugar groups throughout the period, with several factory closures. Concurrently, the sector actively pursued diversification into alternative outlets like bioethanol production to counterbalance stagnant sugar consumption.

Production sugar beet in France

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

France was among the world's leading producers of sugar beet from 2017 to 2020, ranking second globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of sugar beet, 2017-2020

World map of production of sugar beet, 2017-2020

Sugar beet production in France declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, France produced 26 163 thousand tonnes of sugar beet, reflecting a sharp year-over-year decline of 31.2%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 43.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -17.3%.

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

Exports sugar beet from France

Exports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, showing a 4.8-fold swing between these years. In 2020, France's sugar beet exports amounted to 527 tonnes, marking a 74.4% decline compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 055 tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 353.3% occurring that same year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium remained the main destination for sugar beet exports from France, accounting for 71.3% of total exports in volume, while the remaining volume was distributed among other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Export values reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 7.9-fold gap between these years. In 2020, exported sugar beet volumes from France totaled 53.3 thousand US dollars, down by 49.7% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 105.9 thousand US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 533.1% occurring in 2018.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Switzerland (43.3% of exports in value terms), Belgium (24.5%), and the United States (22.7%) formed the core of exports in value terms, together accounting for 90.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports sugar beet to France

Imports in kind, t

France's volume of sugar beet imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 1 039 tonnes, corresponding to a 17.1% advance compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 636.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 94.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (45.3% of imports in volume), Spain (33.6%), and Austria (17.4%) were the primary suppliers of sugar beet to France, jointly accounting for 96.3% of total imports in volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Sugar beet import volumes in France increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports came to 164.8 thousand US dollars, which is 88.0% higher compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 337.9%, equating to a 63.6% annualized rate.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain (48.9% of imports in value terms), Austria (21.6%), and the Netherlands (20.7%) led the structure of imports in value terms, together representing 91.2% of total flows.

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

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