Sugar beet market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

The Swiss sugar beet market began the period under the influence of the EU's abolition of sugar production quotas in late 2017, which lowered prices and increased import volumes. In response, the Swiss government introduced minimum border protection of 7 francs per 100 kg of sugar and direct payments for beet growers from 2019, supporting domestic production which rose to 1 455 thousand tonnes in 2019. However, adverse weather conditions from the previous year and ongoing structural challenges, such as declining farmer numbers and high production costs, contributed to a subsequent drop in output.

From 2021, the market faced new constraints with the ban on neonicotinoid seed treatments like 'Gaucho', complicating pest control and putting pressure on yields. To sustain factory operations, compensatory conventional beet imports were increased, reaching 361 thousand tonnes in 2022. Government support measures were extended until 2026, including raised beet prices, which helped production recover to 1 353 thousand tonnes in 2022. Additionally, Swiss Sugar AG diversified its operations by launching an ethanol production facility in Aarberg to produce high-quality alcohol from sugar beets.

In 2023, the restart of the Frauenfeld sugar factory at half capacity and the priority processing of domestic beets aimed to secure supply chains. Import volumes slightly retreated to 340 thousand tonnes that year. By 2024, tariff-free beet imports hit a new record of 477 thousand tonnes to ensure sufficient raw material for the two processing plants, highlighting the market's continued reliance on foreign supply to maintain domestic sugar production.

Production sugar beet in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Switzerland ranked as the 25th largest producer of sugar beet from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of sugar beet, 2017-2020

World map of production of sugar beet, 2017-2020

In 2020, Switzerland produced 1 304 thousand tonnes of sugar beet, marking a 10.3% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 15.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 263 thousand tonnes. The sharpest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 18.2%, while the largest increase was seen in 2019, rising by 15.1%.

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

Exports sugar beet from Switzerland

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2018, with a dramatic 70 272-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Switzerland's sugar beet exports stood at 0.0 thousand tonnes, reflecting a sharp increase of 900.0% from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 thousand tonnes, and the maximum was in 2018 at 0.5 thousand tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, falling by 100.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and Spain dominated the geographical structure of Switzerland's sugar beet exports in kind, together 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 Switzerland in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend over the timeframe. Export values hit their lowest in 2019 and their highest in 2018, with a substantial 14 770-fold shift. In 2020, sugar beet exports from Switzerland totaled 0.1 thousand US dollars, representing a 641.7% increase compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 149 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019, dropping by 100.0%.

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

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

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

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

Imports sugar beet to Switzerland

Imports in kind, K t

Switzerland's sugar beet import volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Switzerland imported approximately 273.3 thousand tonnes of sugar beet, a 28.7% rise from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 99.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 25.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in kind of sugar beet to Switzerland were almost entirely tied to Germany, which accounted for 97.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Sugar beet imports to Switzerland increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 24 103 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a 22.4% year-on-year uptick. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 145%, with a compound annual growth rate of 34.8%.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, Germany effectively monopolised imports in value terms of sugar beet to Switzerland, taking 98.5% of total flows.

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

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