Sugars and sugar derivatives market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The market for chemically pure sugars and sugar derivatives in Italy experienced considerable volatility from 2018 to 2021. After a peak of 18 077 t in 2019, consumption declined to 13 508 t in 2020 and dropped further to 12 257 t in 2021.

A recovery began in 2022, with market volume rising to 15 179 t, fueled by increased consumer preference for natural sweeteners such as stevia and erythritol. Growth continued in 2023, reaching 16 981 t. However, 2024 saw a sharp contraction to 12 161 t, as historically high sugar prices and a marked shift by fruit juice producers to reduce added sugar content dampened overall demand.

Production sugars and sugar derivatives in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Italy's production of sugars and sugar derivatives has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, output reached 71 624 thousand US dollars, marking a 5.3% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production surged by 111.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 28.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during this period. Production hit its lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with an 11.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Italy produced 4 681 tonnes of sugars and sugar derivatives, showing a gradual decline of 9.3% compared to 2019. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 5 163 tonnes, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, with a dramatic rise of 921.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports sugars and sugar derivatives from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes displayed notable fluctuations over the observed period. They reached their minimum in 2018 and peaked in 2019, representing a 1.8-fold shift. In 2020, Italy's exports of sugars and sugar derivatives stood at 2 397 tonnes, a 19.7% decrease from 2019. The lowest export volume was 1 696 tonnes in 2018, while the highest was 2 984 tonnes in 2019. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 39.1%, whereas the largest increase was in 2019, surging by 76.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece, the Netherlands, and Austria were among Italy's largest buyers of sugars and sugar derivatives by volume, accounting for 18.4%, 11.6%, and 10.2% of exports, respectively. However, even combined, these three countries represented just 40.3% of total exports, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Italy's export value of sugars and sugar derivatives has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 58 001 thousand US dollars, reflecting a substantial gain of 10.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 130%, equating to an average annual rate of 32.0%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and the United States remained the leading destinations for Italy's exports by value, with shares of 26.5%, 14.4%, and 11.1%, respectively. Together, these three markets accounted for 52.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sugars and sugar derivatives to Italy

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Italy's import volume of sugars and sugar derivatives was 11 224 tonnes, marking a decline of 29.4% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 16.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.8%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 15 898 tonnes, and the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, rising by 30.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and Denmark were the top suppliers of sugars and sugar derivatives to Italy by volume, with shares of 46.2%, 22.3%, and 8.9%, respectively. Their combined share reached 77.4% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Italy's import value of sugars and sugar derivatives declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 33 761 thousand US dollars, showing minimal change compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 6.8%, equating to an average annual rate of 2.2%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 33 922 thousand US dollars, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, rising by 6.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and China remained the dominant markets for Italy's imports by value, together accounting for 71.1% of total import flows.

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

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