Sugar beet market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

The Polish sugar beet market in 2018 saw state-owned "Polski Cukier" dominate the landscape amid fragmented suppliers and an average farm size of 6.5 hectares. Growing consumer preference for natural ingredients in confectionery boosted demand for beet sugar, while expanding patisserie and ice cream segments supported sugar consumption. Market volume reached 14.3 million tons that year. After a dip to 13.8 million tons in 2019, volumes recovered to 14.9 million tons in 2020 and climbed further to 15.2 million tons in 2021.

A contraction to 14.1 million tons occurred in 2022 as EU sugar beet acreage fell in favor of more lucrative crops, raising production costs alongside soaring energy and raw material prices. The war in Ukraine disrupted sugar exports, tightening supply. The following year, despite spring droughts and high fertilizer costs, Polish sugar beet planting area increased, driving production up and pushing market volume to 16.8 million tons in 2023.

Production sugar beet in Poland

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Poland ranked sixth globally in sugar beet production volume.

Top producers of sugar beet, 2017-2020

World map of production of sugar beet, 2017-2020

After two years of decline, sugar beet production in Poland increased in 2020. That year, Poland produced 14 947 K t of sugar beet, marking an 8.0% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 5%, which translates to an annualized rate of 1.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 13 837 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 9.1%.

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

Exports sugar beet from Poland

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 60 t and peaked in 2020 at 53 735 t, representing an 891-fold difference. In 2020, Poland exported 53 735 t of sugar beet, a 37.0% increase from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 14.6%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a surge of 64 933.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Poland's sugar beet exports in kind were highly concentrated, with Czechia alone accounting for 95.5% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports bottomed in 2018 at 26 K $ US and peaked in 2020 at 1 958 K $ US, differing by 74 times. In 2020, Poland's cross-border shipments of sugar beet amounted to 1 958 K $ US, showing a 50.9% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 75.9%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a jump of 4 825.6%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Czechia played the leading role in Poland's sugar beet exports in value terms, holding an 85.2% share of total flows, with other markets accounting for the remainder.

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

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

Imports sugar beet to Poland

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports were at their lowest in 2017 and reached their highest in 2019, reflecting a 985-fold gap. In 2020, sugar beet shipments to Poland from abroad registered 12 t, which is 66.2% lower compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 34 t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a rise of 59 188.6%.

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

In 2017–2020, the country structure of Poland's sugar beet imports in kind was highly concentrated, with Germany alone accounting for 98.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import volumes dropped to their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 277 times. In 2020, sugar beet volumes in Poland totalled 75 K $ US, marking a steep decline of 67.0% compared with 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 226 K $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a surge of 15 342.4%.

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

Over 2017–2020, Poland's imports of sugar beet in value terms were almost entirely tied to Germany, whose share amounted to 99.1% of total flows.

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

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