Sugar beet market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

Slovak sugar beet production began the period at 1.3 million tons in 2018, with market volume at 1.1 million tons. Uncertainty following the end of the EU's sugar beet and sugar market order in 2017 preceded a 4.6% production drop in 2019, directly linked to lower prices after the abolition of EU sugar quotas, which pressured growers to consider alternative crops.

Production saw a modest recovery in 2020, supported by the ongoing advocacy of the Slovak Sugar Beet Growers' Union. A significant 7.2% production increase followed in 2021, driven by a greater focus on sustainable farming and the application of biostimulants and mycorrhizal fungi to improve crop resilience. This growth was sharply reversed in 2022 when a severe water deficit during critical vegetation phases caused production to plummet by 19.6%.

Despite unfavorable weather during harvest, production rebounded strongly by 28.4% in 2023 to 1.4 million tons. This recovery was underpinned by maintained cultivation on approximately 22 300 hectares, backed by direct coupled support and green diesel subsidies. The sector faced a structural shock in 2024 with the announced closure of the Trenčianska Teplá sugar plant by German owner Nordzucker AG, citing economic unsustainability due to climate change, inflation, and price volatility.

Production sugar beet in Slovakia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

On a global scale, Slovakia ranked as the 26th largest producer of sugar beet during the period from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of sugar beet, 2017-2020

World map of production of sugar beet, 2017-2020

In 2020, Slovakia produced 1 273 thousand tonnes of sugar beet, marking a slight year-over-year increase of 1.7%. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 3.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.1%. The highest production level was achieved in 2018, reaching 1 312 thousand tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 6.6% recorded that same year. Conversely, the most significant decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 4.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the output of sugar beet in Slovakia was valued at 48 687 thousand US dollars, reflecting a substantial year-over-year gain of 19.6%. From 2017 to 2020, the value of production increased by 26.3%, averaging an annual growth rate of 8.1%. The largest decline in value was observed in 2019, with a drop of 10.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Slovakia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports sugar beet from Slovakia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Slovakia exported 160.6 thousand tonnes of sugar beet, representing a significant 66.6% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 57%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 16.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 96.4 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 41.5%. In contrast, the peak export volume occurred in 2018, reaching 164.7 thousand tonnes.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia and Austria were the primary destinations for Slovakia's sugar beet exports in kind, together accounting for 100.0% of the total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. From the low in 2019 to the high in 2020, export volumes varied by a factor of two. In 2020, Slovakia exported sugar beet valued at 6 141 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp year-over-year increase of 95.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 135 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 45.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Slovakia's sugar beet exports in value terms were heavily concentrated on Czechia and Austria, with their combined share reaching 100.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sugar beet to Slovakia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Slovakia's sugar beet import volume amounted to 0.7 thousand tonnes, indicating a 4.1% increase over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 4%, averaging an annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.7 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 17.2%. The highest import volume occurred in 2018 at 0.8 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase of 20.7% recorded that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovakia's sugar beet imports in kind were highly concentrated on Czechia, which accounted for 98.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. From the low in 2019 to the high in 2020, imports varied by a factor of 2.5. In 2020, the volume of sugar beet imports into Slovakia totalled 151 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a steep advance of 150.5% compared with 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 60 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 38.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, sugar beet imports into Slovakia were shipped mainly from Czechia, which absorbed 95.2% of total imports in value terms.

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

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