Sugar beet market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the sugar beet market volume in Western Europe rose moderately to 82.7 million tons. The 2017 abolition of EU sugar production quotas increased market competition, while regional drought and ongoing sugar factory closures limited more significant growth.

The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted global sugar demand in 2020, causing the market to contract to 69.5 million tons. A strong post-pandemic consumption recovery and high sugar prices drove a rebound to 81.3 million tons in 2021.

In 2022, increased operational costs, stricter environmental rules, and new competition from Ukrainian sugar following EU tariff removals reduced the market to 75.4 million tons. By 2023, a slight recovery to 77.4 million tons was supported by stable yields and growing diversification into non-food outlets like bioethanol production.

Production sugar beet in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sugar beet, 2017-2020

World map of production of sugar beet, 2017-2020

In 2019, sugar beet production in Western Europe saw a modest increase of 2.1%. However, this was followed by a significant decline of 17.8% in 2018, and production continued to drop by 16.0% in 2020, reaching 69 653 K t. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 29.5%, with an average annual decline of 11.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Sugar beet production in Western Europe has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 6 427 M $ US, marking an 18.3% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 31.2%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 11.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports sugar beet from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Sugar beet exports from Western Europe have increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 258.0 K t, showing a significant rise of 17.2% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 30.2%, with an average annual increase of 9.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 171.6 K t, which represented a decline of 13.4% that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase of 28.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland and Czechia were the main buyers of sugar beet from Western Europe, together accounting for 58.3% of total exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Foreign sugar beet supplies from Western Europe have risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 23 802 K $ US, reflecting a significant improvement of 13.9% over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 27%, with an annualized growth rate of 8.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 17 949 K $ US, which saw a decline of 4.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 16.4%.

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

During 2017–2020, Switzerland and Czechia were the primary destinations for sugar beet exports from Western Europe in value terms, together making up 79.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports sugar beet to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

The market displayed volatility over the observed period. In 2017, imports hit a low, followed by a sharp increase of 446.3% in 2018, reaching a peak of 129.8 K t. However, imports then fell by 70.4% in 2019. In 2020, imports rebounded to 109.9 K t, showing a sharp uptick of 186.0% year-over-year. Overall, import levels fluctuated 5.5 times between the high in 2018 and the low in 2017.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovakia, Hungary, and Czechia were consistently the main destinations for sugar beet imports in volume terms, together accounting for 13.0% of total flows. Specifically, Slovakia represented 7.3%, Hungary 4.6%, and Czechia 1.1% of imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. In 2017, imports reached a minimum, followed by an increase of 83.0% in 2018. Imports then declined by 9.4% in 2019. In 2020, sugar beet shipments to Western Europe from abroad amounted to 34 045 K $ US, up by 35.7% compared to the previous year, marking the maximum value. Overall, there was a 2.3-fold variation between the maximum in 2020 and the minimum in 2017.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Slovakia, Czechia, and Hungary were consistently the main destinations for sugar beet imports in value terms, together accounting for 7.5% of total flows. Slovakia contributed 3.5%, Czechia 2.5%, and Hungary 1.5% of imports in value terms.

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

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