Sugar beet market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, the Italian sugar beet market was shaped by the EU sugar quota system abolition in 2017, which liberalized the market and intensified international competition, squeezing prices and contributing to a sector crisis. This drove the market volume down from 1 942 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 1 779 thousand tonnes in 2019, despite a new potential demand source from the gradual introduction of a 10% biofuels mandate for transport in Italy. A slight recovery to 1 833 thousand tonnes occurred in 2020, supported by revival attempts through new crop choices, resilient varieties, and political and market backing.

The downturn accelerated in 2021, as continued reduction in cultivated area and active sugar mills due to liberalization pressures caused a sharp contraction to 1 511 thousand tonnes. The decline deepened to 1 112 thousand tonnes in 2022, primarily due to the seasonal suspension of the Coprob processing plant in Pontelongo, forced by low European sugar prices, international competition, and high production costs. Concurrently, rising consumer awareness towards healthier, natural products began boosting demand for organic and non-GMO sugar, creating a new segment.

In 2023, the market rebounded to 1 401 thousand tonnes. This growth was fueled by a 33% increase in guaranteed prices for conventional and organic sugar beet, supported by the new Common Agricultural Policy and a decree incentivizing biomethane production from beet by-products. Investments by Coprob in agricultural biomethane plants from beet pulp and the expansion of sustainable agronomic certification projects further underpinned the recovery, alongside the market debut of 100% made-in-Italy organic sugar from beet grown by around 140 farms.

Production sugar beet in Italy

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Italy ranked 22nd globally in sugar beet production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of sugar beet, 2017-2020

World map of production of sugar beet, 2017-2020

Italy's sugar beet production increased after two years of decline. In 2020, the country produced 1 831 K t of sugar beet, marking a slight rise of 2.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 25.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 779 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 20.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Italy's sugar beet production value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 2 573 M $ US, representing a 26.9% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value dropped by 50.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -20.9%.

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

Exports sugar beet from Italy

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports peaked in 2019 and reached their lowest point in 2018, with a 5.2-fold difference between these years. Italy exported 10 t of sugar beet in 2020, up 20.2% from the prior year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 2 t, with the largest decline that year at 79.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 333.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France (27.1% of exports in kind), Malta (21.9%), and Saudi Arabia (20.3%) accounted for the largest share of exports, together comprising 69.4% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports peaked in 2017 and hit their lowest point in 2018, with a 4.5-fold gap between these years. In 2020, sugar beet exports from Italy totaled 13.9 K $ US, representing a strong decline of 14.6% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 4.3 K $ US, with the largest decline that year at 78.0%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 283.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Malta (30.4% of exports in value terms), Saudi Arabia (17.2%), and France (16.6%) remained the leading destinations, together accounting for 64.2% of total export value.

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

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

Imports sugar beet to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports reached their highest level in 2020 and their lowest in 2018, with a 6.3-fold variation between these years. In 2020, sugar beet deliveries to Italy totaled 1 509 t, which is 310.4% above the prior year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 239 t, with the largest decline that year at 30.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria played the leading role in imports in kind, accounting for 81.1% of total flows, while other markets made up the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized market behavior during these years. Imports peaked in 2020 and reached their lowest point in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 4 times. In 2020, Italy's sugar beet imports reached 482.6 K $ US, representing a 117.8% increase year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 120.7 K $ US, with the largest decline that year at 18.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria remained the leading supplier of sugar beet to Italy, accounting for 77.2% of total imports in value terms, while the rest was distributed among many other countries.

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

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