Sugar beet market in Lithuania

Earlier Report Observations

The Lithuanian sugar beet market exhibited considerable volume fluctuations from 2018 to 2023. Growth to 1 019 thousand t in 2019 was supported by favorable procurement conditions and Nordic Sugar Kėdainiai's launch of organic sugar beet collection and processing, responding to rising domestic demand for organic products.

Market volume then declined over three years, reaching 826 thousand t in 2022. This contraction was driven by sharply rising costs for fertilizers, chemicals, and transport, which prompted some growers to reduce acreage. Concurrently, a sugar surplus in Europe and increased imports from Ukraine depressed sugar prices, reducing beet procurement prices and further pressuring producers. Nordic Sugar noted these challenges despite its factory modernization investments.

Volume rebounded strongly to 1 164 thousand t in 2023. In 2024, the EU's trade agreement with Mercosur and growing competition from imported sugar began influencing market conditions, with reports of a successful season due to improved grower preparation and equipment availability.

Production sugar beet in Lithuania

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Lithuania was among the world's leading sugar beet producers from 2018 to 2021, ranking 28th globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of sugar beet, 2018-2021

World map of production of sugar beet, 2018-2021

Lithuania's sugar beet production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 856 thousand tons of sugar beet, marking a 9.7% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production fell by 3.6%, with an average annual decline of 1.2%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 002 thousand tons, which represented a 12.7% increase from the previous year.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Lithuania's sugar beet production value declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, the output was valued at 64.7 million US dollars, reflecting a sharp 26.5% drop compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, production value decreased by 17.6%, equating to an average annual decline of 6.2%. The peak value occurred in 2019 at 112.1 million US dollars, which represented a substantial 42.7% increase from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports sugar beet from Lithuania

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Lithuania's sugar beet export volumes declined. In 2021, exports amounted to 4 207 tons, showing a sharp 33.2% decrease compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 4.5%, with an average annual decline of 1.5%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 6 301 tons, which represented a 26.1% increase from the previous year.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Latvia remained Lithuania's primary export market for sugar beet in volume terms, accounting for 75.2% of total exports, while the remaining volume was distributed among various other destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Following two years of increase, Lithuania's sugar beet export value declined. In 2021, exports totaled 318 thousand US dollars, representing a 45.6% decrease compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, export value fell by 18.3%, with an average annual decline of 6.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2020 at 585 thousand US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 43.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Latvia and Poland together accounted for 96.8% of Lithuania's total sugar beet export value, with other countries forming a diverse but less significant portion of exports.

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

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

Imports sugar beet to Lithuania

Imports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during the observed period. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2021, with an 84-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Lithuania imported 69 068 tons of sugar beet, marking a dramatic 271.1% increase compared to 2020. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 16.3%, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2019 at 2 605.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Lithuania's sugar beet imports in volume terms showed strong dependence on Latvia, which accounted for 99.5% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import values bottomed in 2018 and peaked in 2021, with an 18-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Lithuania's sugar beet imports totaled 2 155 thousand US dollars, reflecting a steep 307.1% increase compared to 2020. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 15.9%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2019 at 414.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Lithuania's sugar beet import value was almost entirely concentrated in Latvia, which accounted for 97.0% of total imports.

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

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