Sugar beet market in the Netherlands

Earlier Report Observations

The Dutch sugar beet market volume expanded from 6.5 million tonnes in 2018 to nearly 6.7 million tonnes in 2020. This initial growth was primarily driven by the abolition of the EU sugar beet quota in 2017, which led to a significant increase in cultivated area and higher domestic production.

Market volume then contracted to 6.6 million tonnes in 2021 before surging to 7.2 million tonnes in 2022. The subsequent decline to 7.0 million tonnes in 2023 was directly caused by a wet and cold spring that delayed planting and increased disease pressure, reducing the sugar beet harvest. Regional droughts in 2018 and 2019 had previously created yield challenges but were offset by the earlier area expansion.

In 2024, the sector contended with record-wet growing conditions that pressured yields, while an EU-wide ban on neonicotinoids and climate change contributed to a structural sugar deficit within the European Union.

Production sugar beet in the Netherlands

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands held the 11th position globally in sugar beet production.

Top producers of sugar beet, 2017-2020

World map of production of sugar beet, 2017-2020

The Netherlands saw its sugar beet production rise for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 6 691 thousand tonnes of sugar beet, marking a slight year-on-year increase of 0.7%. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 15.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 5.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 6 506 thousand tonnes. That same year also experienced the largest drop of 18.3%, while 2019 saw the biggest increase of 2.1%.

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

Exports sugar beet from the Netherlands

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Export levels fluctuated significantly, with a 2.2-fold difference between the peak in 2019 and the trough in 2017. In 2020, the Netherlands exported 803 tonnes of sugar beet, representing a 35.3% decrease compared to 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 241 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 76.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, France, and Belgium were the leading destinations for the Netherlands' sugar beet exports in volume terms. Germany accounted for 60.0% of exports, France for 15.0%, and Belgium for 13.1%, together making up 88.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of sugar beet exports from the Netherlands reached 245 thousand US dollars, up by 0.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 17.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 305 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 46.6%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest decline of 20.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Germany, Spain, and Belgium—collectively represented 86.2% of the total value of sugar beet exports from the Netherlands.

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

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

Imports sugar beet to the Netherlands

Imports in kind, t

Foreign sugar beet supplies to the Netherlands declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported approximately 8 032 tonnes of sugar beet, showing a notable year-on-year drop of 12.0%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 38.7%, averaging an annual decline of 15.1%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 22 223 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 69.5%. The most significant decrease occurred in 2019, with a 58.9% fall.

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

During 2017-2020, Germany and Belgium together accounted for 96.3% of the Netherlands' sugar beet imports in volume terms, with the remainder distributed among smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market displayed volatility in these years, with a 2.3-fold variation between the high in 2018 and the low in 2017. In 2020, the value of sugar beet imports into the Netherlands stood at 3 289 thousand US dollars, indicating a modest 3.2% rise compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 6 934 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 130.2%. The biggest decline occurred in 2019, with a 54.0% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium and Germany dominated the Netherlands' sugar beet imports in value terms, jointly representing 96.4% of total flows, while other markets made up the rest.

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

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