Sugar beet market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

The U.S. sugar beet market volume fluctuated between 25 993 thousand tons and 33 359 thousand tons from 2018 to 2023. After a drop to 25 993 thousand tons in 2019, the market grew by 17.3% in 2020 to 30 497 thousand tons, followed by a further rise to 33 359 thousand tons in 2021. A decline of 11.2% brought the volume to 29 614 thousand tons in 2022, before a recovery to 31 956 thousand tons in 2023, marking a 7.9% increase from the previous year.

The market's rebound in 2023 aligned with the implementation of revised Sugar Beet Crop Insurance Provisions effective for the 2023 crop year. These changes reinstated stage guarantees and introduced an Early Harvest Adjustment Option, providing growers with greater flexibility and incentives to increase yields. Concurrently, the USDA's marketing allotment system, set at 85% of estimated domestic human consumption and with fixed allocations for beet and cane sugar, regulated supply to support market stability.

Major cooperatives like American Crystal Sugar and Michigan Sugar Company continued to supply over half of domestic sugar needs, underpinning production. Technological advancements in farming equipment and sugar extraction improved processing efficiency, while growing consumer preference for natural, non-GMO sweeteners spurred product diversification within the beet sugar segment.

Production sugar beet in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States was one of the world's top sugar beet producers, ranking third globally by production volume.

Top producers of sugar beet, 2017-2020

World map of production of sugar beet, 2017-2020

Following a two-year decline, sugar beet production in the United States rebounded in 2020. That year, the country produced 30 490 thousand tons of sugar beet, marking a significant 17.3% increase compared to 2019. Over the entire 2017–2020 period, however, production decreased by 4.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 25 991 thousand tons, when output fell by 13.9%—the steepest drop during this timeframe.

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

Exports sugar beet from the United States

Exports in kind, t

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States exported sugar beet primarily to three key partners: Saint Lucia (38.6% of exports by volume), Trinidad and Tobago (34.1%), and the United Kingdom (27.3%). Together, these countries accounted for 100.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

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

In value terms, the United Kingdom was the leading destination for U.S. sugar beet exports from 2017 to 2020, with a 47.8% share. Trinidad and Tobago followed at 27.9%, and Saint Lucia at 24.3%. These three partners collectively represented 100.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports sugar beet to the United States

Imports in kind, t

Sugar beet imports into the United States showed considerable volatility between 2017 and 2020. In 2019, imports hit their lowest point at 2 007 tons, declining by 44.6% that year. However, by 2020, imports surged to 6 145 tons—a sharp 206.2% increase compared to 2019. Overall, imports in 2020 were 3.1 times higher than in 2019.

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

Throughout the 2017–2020 period, China was the sole source of sugar beet imports into the United States, accounting for 100.0% of import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

The value of sugar beet imports into the United States fluctuated significantly from 2017 to 2020. In 2019, import value dropped to its minimum of 27 578 US dollars, falling by 42.1% that year. By 2020, however, it rebounded sharply to 76 163 US dollars—a 176.2% increase over 2019. This means import value in 2020 was 2.8 times higher than in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China was the dominant supplier of sugar beet to the United States in value terms, capturing 96.4% of total import value.

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

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