Sugars and sugar derivatives market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

The market size for chemically pure sugars and derivatives in Poland grew from $25.4 million in 2019 to $34.5 million in 2022, a 36% increase over three years. This expansion was supported by rising imports, which climbed from $25.9 million to $36.1 million in the same period, while domestic production, though modest, more than doubled from $119 000 to $206 000.

Imports surged further to $58.3 million in 2024, accelerated by the EU decision to allow duty-free sugar imports from Ukraine until June 2024, which improved supply availability. Concurrently, Poland's sugar beet harvest reached a record level in 2024 due to favorable weather and expanded cultivation area, reinforcing the country's position as a net exporter of sugar to neighboring markets.

The market is shaped by an oligopoly of four major sugar holdings, influencing competitive dynamics. Growing consumer preference for natural and functional sugars has also spurred development in specialized segments, such as prebiotic or vitamin-enriched sugar derivatives.

Production sugars and sugar derivatives in Poland

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Poland's output of sugars and sugar derivatives was valued at 147.6 thousand US dollars, representing a 23.6% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 4.6%, which translates to an annualized decline of 1.5%.

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

Exports sugars and sugar derivatives from Poland

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 33 tonnes, then peaked in 2020 at 233 tonnes, marking a 211.4% year-over-year increase. The gap between these years was 7.1-fold. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 49.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Germany, Russia, and Czechia—collectively accounted for 70.1% of Poland's total exports of sugars and sugar derivatives in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Exports hit a low in 2018 at 405 thousand US dollars, then surged to a high in 2020 at 2 200 thousand US dollars, a 283.2% increase compared to 2019. The difference between these years was 5.4-fold. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 5.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Russia, and Czechia were consistently the main destinations for Poland's exports of sugars and sugar derivatives in value terms. Germany accounted for 59.2% of exports, Russia for 20.2%, and Czechia for 6.0%, together making up 85.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sugars and sugar derivatives to Poland

Imports in kind, t

Poland's imports of sugars and sugar derivatives from abroad declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 13 226 tonnes, which is 3.4% lower than the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 14 548 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 5.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 9.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and France were the primary sources for Poland's imports of sugars and sugar derivatives in volume terms, jointly accounting for 89.7% of total flows. Other partners contributed much less individually.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Poland imported a total of value_last_year thousand US dollars of sugars and sugar derivatives, indicating an 8.7% year-over-year advance. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 16.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 28 442 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 9.1%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 17.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, two markets—Germany and France—played leading roles in Poland's imports of sugars and sugar derivatives in value terms, together accounting for 80.8% of total flows. The remainder was distributed among other destinations.

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

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