Sugar beet market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

Sweden's sugar beet market volume grew substantially in 2019, reaching 2 029 thousand tonnes, a 19.5% increase from 2018. This expansion was primarily driven by enhanced long-term competitiveness for beet growers, following the introduction of new delivery contracts by Nordic Sugar and stable profitability within crop rotations. Production then remained at a high plateau of around 2 030 to 2 050 thousand tonnes through 2020 and 2021, indicating sustained cultivation activity.

The market contracted sharply in 2022, with volume falling 21.8% to 1 601 thousand tonnes. This decline coincided with significant volatility in input costs, such as for fertilizer and diesel, linked to broader inflationary pressures and global disruptions. A partial recovery followed in 2023, with volume rising to 1 748 thousand tonnes as export volumes normalized and the market adjusted to the new cost environment.

By 2024, the operating context for sugar beet was evolving, influenced by rising consumer demand for sustainability labeling, the application of AI technology to measure food impact, and a mature grocery retail sector dominated by three major chains. These factors contribute to the shifting landscape for agricultural products like sugar beet.

Production sugar beet in Sweden

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Sweden was among the world's leading producers of sugar beet from 2017 to 2020, ranking 23rd globally by production volume.

Top producers of sugar beet, 2017-2020

World map of production of sugar beet, 2017-2020

In 2020, Sweden produced 2 027 K t of sugar beet, showing negligible variation compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 3.2%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest production was recorded in 2018 at 1 698 K t, while the highest was in 2019 at 2 029 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 13.5% drop, and the largest increase was in 2019 with a 19.5% rise.

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

Exports sugar beet from Sweden

Exports in kind, kg

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export volumes varied significantly, with the lowest point in 2019 at 3 000 kg and the highest in 2018 at 9 231 kg, representing a 3.1-fold difference. In 2020, Sweden exported 5 000 kg of sugar beet, which was 66.7% higher than the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 67.5%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 70.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sweden in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Norway and Denmark dominated Sweden's sugar beet exports in kind, jointly accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

The market experienced noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export values reached their lowest point in 2019 at 2 009 US dollars and peaked in 2020 at 8 143 US dollars, with a 4.1-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Sweden exported 8 143 US dollars worth of sugar beet, representing a 305.4% increase year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 41.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Norway and Denmark captured most of Sweden's sugar beet exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports sugar beet to Sweden

Imports in kind, kg

The market displayed volatility over the observed period. Import volumes varied widely, with the lowest point in 2017 and the highest in 2020 at 51 903 kg, showing a 52-fold difference. In 2020, Sweden imported 51 903 kg of sugar beet, which was 488.4% higher than the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 58.7%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 2 037.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sweden in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom was the key and almost sole market for Sweden's sugar beet imports in kind, accounting for 96.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import values were at their lowest in 2017 and peaked in 2018 at 26 490 US dollars, reflecting a 19-fold gap. In 2020, Sweden's sugar beet imports amounted to 10 749 US dollars, up by 498.0% from 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 93.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 1 783.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom and Germany remained the key partner countries for Sweden's sugar beet imports in value terms, with a combined share of 95.1% of total flows; other partners accounted for the remainder.

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

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