Sugar beet market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

Spanish sugar beet production showed considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023. The market began the period at 2.87 million tons in 2018, then declined for two consecutive years to a low of 2.43 million tons in 2020. A slight recovery to 2.51 million tons occurred in 2021, followed by a steep drop to just over 2 million tons in 2022. The trend reversed dramatically in 2023, with output jumping to 2.89 million tons, surpassing the initial 2018 volume.

The market environment in 4 was marked by several structural developments. Beet cultivation expanded in key regions like Castilla y León, driven by its higher profitability compared to cereal and oilseed alternatives. Processor Azucarera committed to a €27 million upgrade of its Miranda de Ebro plant to handle both beet and cane sugar more flexibly. At the same time, the sector contended with the ongoing EU ban on neonicotinoid pesticides, which pressured yields, and significant volatility in sugar prices. Disease pressure, particularly from cercospora, remained a persistent challenge for growers.

Production sugar beet in Spain

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Spain ranked 18th globally in sugar beet production between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of sugar beet, 2017-2020

World map of production of sugar beet, 2017-2020

Spain's sugar beet production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 2,433 thousand tons of sugar beet, marking a significant 11.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 26.1%, with an annualized decline rate of 9.6%.

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

Exports sugar beet from Spain

Exports in kind, t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 114-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Spain exported 841.9 tons of sugar beet, representing a substantial 724.6% increase year-over-year. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 7.4 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 96.7% drop, while the most significant increase happened in 2019 with a 1,277.9% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France was the primary buyer of Spanish sugar beet, accounting for 84.4% of total exports in volume, while other trading partners held relatively modest shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Sugar beet exports from Spain increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Spain exported sugar beet worth 535 thousand US dollars, up by 206.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 473.5%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 79.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany (45.5% of export value), France (33.4% of export value), and Portugal (12.5% of export value) consistently led Spain's export markets in value terms, collectively representing 91.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sugar beet to Spain

Imports in kind, t

The market experienced noticeable fluctuations during this period. Import volumes peaked in 2018 and reached their lowest point in 2020, with a 2.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Spain imported 87.7 tons of sugar beet, showing a solid 16.1% decrease from the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 222.6 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 53.0% drop, while the most significant increase happened in 2018 with a 127.6% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal dominated Spain's sugar beet imports in volume, representing 86.8% of total import flows, while other markets played a less significant role.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market displayed volatility over the observed period. Import values showed an 8.4-fold difference between the peak in 2018 and the trough in 2017. In 2020, Spain's sugar beet imports totaled 455 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a sharp 73.1% increase compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 1,069 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 75.4% drop, while the most significant increase happened in 2018 with a 739.9% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany accounted for the majority of Spain's sugar beet imports in value terms, representing 71.9% of total import flows, with other markets forming a fragmented remainder.

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

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