Sugar beet market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The sugar beet market in Southern Europe contracted significantly between 2018 and 2022, with total market volume falling from 8 131 thousand tons to 5 463 thousand tons. Production followed a similar downward path, declining from 8 011 thousand tons to 5 388 thousand tons over the same period.

A sharp recovery occurred in 2023, with production jumping to 6 863 thousand tons and market volume rising to 6 908 thousand tons. This rebound was primarily driven by a 4% expansion in the sown area for sugar beet, as the crop's profitability improved relative to cereals and oilseeds. The EU-wide ban on neonicotinoid pesticides introduced uncertainty for yields, but the area increase was sufficient to lift output.

Regulatory changes, including the neonicotinoid ban and tariff protections with exemptions for Ukraine, continued to define the operating environment. Furthermore, the war in Ukraine impacted European sugar supply and prices, while increased investments in countries like Italy supported a 2% rise in the EU's beet area for the 2024/25 season, driven by sustained market attractiveness.

Production sugar beet in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sugar beet, 2017-2020

World map of production of sugar beet, 2017-2020

Southern Europe's sugar beet production has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 7,186 thousand tonnes of sugar beet, which represents a 6.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 28.1%, translating to an average annual decline of 10.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Southern Europe's sugar beet production has seen a decline in volume for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 3,946 million US dollars, marking a slight decrease of 2.8% from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value dropped by 44.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -17.7%.

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

Exports sugar beet from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Southern Europe's sugar beet exports have increased for the second year running. In 2020, exports reached 10.3 thousand tonnes, showing a significant year-over-year rise of 50.2%. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 52.2%, averaging an annual increase of 15.0%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 5.4 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 20.7% that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main buyers of sugar beet from Southern Europe were Czechia, accounting for 10.5% of exports in kind, Slovakia with 6.7%, and France at 0.8%. Together, these three countries made up 18.0% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Southern Europe's sugar beet export volume has risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported sugar beet worth 5,677 thousand US dollars, up by 55.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 18.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2,784 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 42.0% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the key markets for Southern Europe's sugar beet exports in value terms were Czechia, with a 36.5% share, Slovakia at 25.4%, and Germany with 2.5%. Combined, these countries accounted for 64.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sugar beet to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Southern Europe imported 97.1 thousand tonnes of sugar beet, reflecting a sharp decrease of 28.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 38.8%, averaging an annual decline of 15.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 7.4%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Hungary and Austria formed a highly concentrated pair of markets for sugar beet imports in kind to Southern Europe, together accounting for 83.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Southern Europe's sugar beet import volume has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports were recorded at 6,773 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a robust decrease of 23.6% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import value dropped by 49.1%, with an average annual decline of 20.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main cluster of markets for sugar beet imports in value terms to Southern Europe consisted of Hungary, with a 61.8% share, Germany at 3.7%, and Austria with 2.9%. Together, these countries held a combined share of 68.5% of total import flows.

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

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