Sugar beet market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

Sugar beet production in Western Asia increased from 17 817 K t in 2018 to 25 595 K t in 2023, with significant annual fluctuations. Output rose moderately in 2019, supported by growing consumption linked to changes in lifestyle and eating habits. A sharp 27% surge occurred in 2020, followed by a 23% contraction in 2021, influenced by the competitive pressure from the abolition of EU sugar quotas and lower-cost cane sugar on the global market.

State-owned and cooperative companies, including Türkşeker, Kayseri Şeker, and Konya Şeker, dominate the market and influence production through the quota system established by the Sugar Law No. 4634. The construction of a bioethanol production facility at Konya Şeker in 2022 increased demand for sugar beet, contributing to the recovery and growth in production that year and into 2023.

The market operates under continued state intervention, with annual production quotas and purchase prices shaping producer decisions. Despite challenges such as rising input costs reported in 2023, production volumes reached a high, partly sustained by the established demand from the bioethanol sector and the consistent role of major public-sector processors.

Production sugar beet in Western Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sugar beet, 2017-2020

World map of production of sugar beet, 2017-2020

Sugar beet production in Western Asia grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 23 358 thousand tons of sugar beet, representing a significant year-over-year increase of 27.0%. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 7.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.5%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 17 817 thousand tons, marking the largest decline of 17.8% during this timeframe.

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

Exports sugar beet from Western Asia

Exports in kind, t

The market showed notable fluctuations over this period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2017, while the highest was in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 29 times. In 2020, Western Asia exported 142 tons of sugar beet, a substantial increase of 591.8% compared to the previous year. The maximum export volume was 199 tons in 2018. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 89.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 2 847.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Chad were the primary destinations for sugar beet exports, together accounting for 41.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance exhibited significant fluctuations during this period. Export values reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, showing a 4.7-fold difference. In 2020, sugar beet exports from Western Asia amounted to 81.0 thousand US dollars, a 374.1% increase compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 17.1 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 75.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, sugar beet exports from Western Asia in value terms were distributed across numerous markets. The United States accounted for 30.6% of export value, Pakistan for 1.3%, and South Africa for 1.1%, with these three countries together representing 33.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sugar beet to Western Asia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Western Asia imported 1 241 tons of sugar beet, a decrease of 19.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports declined by 17.1%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of -6.1%. The minimum import volume was 946 tons in 2018, while the maximum was 1 538 tons in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 36.8%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 62.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, sugar beet imports to Western Asia were spread across a wide range of markets. The Netherlands accounted for 29.9% of imports, South Africa for 8.0%, and Egypt for 7.0%, with these three countries together making up 44.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Western Asia imported 698.7 thousand US dollars worth of sugar beet in 2020, a contraction of 21.6% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 27.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.2%. The minimum value was 619.8 thousand US dollars in 2018, which also experienced the largest decline of 35.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 43.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, the Netherlands accounted for 36.2% of sugar beet import value to Western Asia, South Africa for 13.0%, and Egypt for 3.7%. Together, these three countries absorbed 53.0% of total import value, establishing them as the main destinations.

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

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