Industry Statistics and Trends
Sugar Production in Europe key trends
European nations impose taxes on sugary drinks.
Governments are aiming to reduce sugar consumption by provoking manufacturers to cut sugar levels in beverages and switch to healthier alternatives, hitting sugar sales.
Sugar prices surge due to production challenges.
Spiralling costs for growers and poor climate conditions in major sugar-producing nations has supported revenue despite falling sugar consumption.
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Sugar Production in Europe
Industry Revenue
Total value and annual change from 2012-2030. Includes 5-year outlook.
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Sugar Production in Europe market size (2020-2025)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 0.5 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €28.7bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
European sugar producers experience difficult 2025
- European sugar producers have suffered a difficult year in 2025 – they’ve grappled with low sugar prices but sky-high operating costs, curbing revenue and profitability. EU sugar prices slumped by 31.1% in the 12 months through July 2025 and have halved from their all-time high in December 2023, as shown by European Commission data. Europe has experienced an oversupply of sugar due to increased Ukrainian exports, higher sugar beet production and lower sugar consumption, which has driven down prices.
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Sugar Production in Europe outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to decline over the next five years.
The European Green Deal will add to the industry's regulatory burden
- Sugar producers across Europe will face increasing regulatory and market pressure to align with the European Green Deal’s sustainability goals over the coming years. The EU aims to reduce carbon emissions by at least 55% by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels) and reach carbon neutrality by 2050, putting pressure on businesses to cut their carbon footprints. EU beet sugar factories have already cut emissions through energy efficiency. For example, in 2024, Nordzucker AG commissioned an additional extraction tower at its Uelzen, Germany facility designed to optimise the sugar extraction process and save around 10,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. However, meeting future goals, but meeting future goals requires accelerated emission cuts, which could necessitate investment in more efficient equipment, driving up operating costs in the short term.
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Revenue
€28.7bn
Employees
69,123
Wages
€X.Xbn
European Leaders & Laggards
* CAGR values are for the years 2020-2025.
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Biggest companies in the Sugar Production in Europe
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue (€m)
2025 | Profit (€m)
2025 | Profit Margin (%)
2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Südzucker AG | 8,934.2 | 572.4 | 6.4 | |
Associated British Foods plc | 22,646.2 | 2,278.0 | 10.1 | |
Tereos SA | 5,450.3 | 505.1 | 9.3 |
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Sugar Production in Europe
Products & Services Segmentation
Industry revenue broken down by key product and services lines.
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Top Questions Answered in this Report
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What is the market size of the Sugar Production industry in Europe in 2025?
The market size of the Sugar Production industry in Europe is €28.7bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Sugar Production industry in Europe in 2025?
There are 336 businesses in the Sugar Production industry in Europe, which has declined at a CAGR of 1.5 % between 2020 and 2025.
Has the Sugar Production industry in Europe grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Sugar Production industry in Europe has been growing at a CAGR of 0.5 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Sugar Production industry in Europe over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Sugar Production industry in Europe is expected to decline.
What does the Sugar Production industry in Europe include?
Refined sugar and Raw sugar are part of the Sugar Production industry in Europe.
Which countries have the most businesses in the Sugar Production industry in Europe?
The European country with the most businesses in the Sugar Production industry is Russia.
How competitive is the Sugar Production industry in Europe?
The level of competition is moderate and steady in the Sugar Production industry in Europe.
Related Industries
This industry is covered in 37 countries
- Sugar Production in Portugal
- Sugar Production in Serbia
- Sugar Production in Czechia
- Sugar Production in Denmark
- Sugar Production in Turkey
- Sugar Production in Cyprus
- Sugar Production in Estonia
- Sugar Production in Europe
- Sugar Production in Austria
- Sugar Production in Romania
- Sugar Production in Hungary
- Sugar Production in the UK
- Sugar Production in Norway
- Sugar Production in Germany
- Sugar Production in Finland
- Sugar Production in Croatia
- Sugar Production in Spain
- Sugar Production in France
- Sugar Production in the Netherlands
- Sugar Production in Belgium
- Sugar Production in Italy
- Sugar Production in Lithuania
- Sugar Production in Latvia
- Sugar Production in Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Sugar Production in Greece
- Sugar Production in Russia
- Sugar Production in Sweden
- Sugar Production in Poland
- Sugar Production in Slovakia
- Sugar Production in Slovenia
- Sugar Production in Bulgaria
- Sugar Production in the UK
- Sugar Production in Germany
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Companies in this industry produce and refine sugar (sucrose) and various sugar substitutes, using cane, beet, maple, and palm sources to deliver a broad array of sweetening solutions.
Related Terms
MOLASSESBEET PULPBAGASSEWhat's included in this industry?
Refined sugarRaw sugarSyrupSugar by-productsCompanies
Südzucker AGAssociated British Foods plcTereos SAIndustry Code
1072 - Manufacture of sugar in Europe
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Performance
Key Takeaways
European sugar producers experience difficult 2025
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Revenue Highlights
Trends
- Revenue
- 2025 Revenue Growth
- Revenue Volatility
Employment Highlights
Trends
- Employees
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Employee
Business Highlights
Trends
- Businesses
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Business
Profit Highlights
Trends
- Total Profit
- Profit Margin
- Profit per Business
Current Performance
Charts
- Revenue in the Sugar Production in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Employees in the Sugar Production in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Business in the Sugar Production in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Profit in the Sugar Production in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
Analysis
What's driving current industry performance in the Sugar Production in Europe industry?
Outlook
Analysis
What's driving the Sugar Production in Europe industry outlook?
Volatility
Analysis
What influences volatility in the Sugar Production in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth Matrix
Life Cycle
Analysis
What determines the industry life cycle stage in the Sugar Production in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Life Cycle Matrix
Products and Markets
Highlights
Trends
- Largest Market
- Product Innovation
Key Takeaways
Food and drink manufacturers are the biggest market. The majority of sugar produced and consumed in Europe is sold through food manufacturers, rather than directly to consumers.
Products and Services
Charts
- Products and Services Segmentation
Analysis
How are the Sugar Production in Europe industry's products and services performing?
Analysis
What are innovations in the Sugar Production in Europe industry's products and services?
Major Markets
Charts
- Major Market Segmentation
Analysis
What influences demand in the Sugar Production in Europe industry?
International Trade
Highlights
- Largest Importer
- Smallest Importer
- Total Imports into Europe
- Largest Exporter
- Smallest Exporter
- Total Exports into Europe
Heat maps
- Industry Concentration of Imports by Country
- Industry Concentration of Exports by Country
Data Tables
Value and annual change (%) included
- Number of Imports and Exports by European Country (2025)
Geographic Breakdown
Business Locations
Heat maps
- Share of Total Industry Revenue by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Enterprises by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Employment by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Wages by Region (2025)
Industry Geographic Breakdown
Data Tables
Values and annual change provided for 37 European countries:
- Revenue (2025)
- IVA (2025)
- Enterprises (2025)
- Employment (2025)
- Exports (2025)
- Imports (2025)
Competitive Forces
Highlights
Trends
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
Key Takeaways
Some of the world’s biggest sugar processors are located in Europe. The industry is concentrated due to the strong economies of scale enjoyed by large producers. The world's largest sugar producer, Sudzucker AG, is based in Germany.
Supply Chain
Charts
Buyer and supply industries
Companies
Market Share
Charts
- Industry Market Share by Company (2020-2025)
Companies
Data Tables
Top 10 companies by market share:
- Market share (2025)
- Revenue (2025)
- Profit (2025)
- Profit Margin (2025)
Data Tables
- Countries of operation for Südzucker AG
- Countries of operation for Associated British Foods plc
- Countries of operation for Tereos SA
- Countries of operation for Nordzucker AG
- Countries of operation for Cooperatie Koninklijke Cosun UA
- Countries of operation for Prodimex LLC
- Countries of operation for ASR Group Europe Ltd
- Countries of operation for Konya Seker Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
- Countries of operation for Krajowa Spólka Cukrowa SA
- Countries of operation for Co.Pro.B. - Cooperativa Produttori Bieticoli - Soc. Coop. Agricola Sed
External Environment
Highlights
Trends
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key Takeaways
Sugar processors are required to follow food safety laws. The EU has numerous laws and standards regulating food safety covering hygiene, traceability, labelling and more.
External Drivers
Analysis
What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Sugar Production in Europe industry?
Financial Benchmarks
Highlights
Trends
- Profit Margin
- Average Wage
- Largest Cost
Key Takeaways
Mounting costs curb profit. Higher sugar, energy and transport prices have all contributed to mounting operating costs for sugar processors, eating into profit.
Cost Structure
Charts
- Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
-
Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
- Marketing
- Depreciation
- Profit
- Purchases
- Wages
- Rent
- Utilities
- Other
Analysis
What trends impact cost in the Sugar Production in Europe industry?
Key Ratios
Data tables
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
Country Benchmarks
European Leaders & Laggards
Data Tables
Top and bottom five countries listed for each:
- Revenue Growth (2025)
- Business Growth (2025)
- Job Growth (2025)
European Country Performance
Data Tables
Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:
- IVA/Revenue (2025)
- Imports/Demand (2025)
- Exports/Revenue (2025)
- Revenue per Employee (2025)
- Wages/Revenue (2025)
- Employees per Establishment (2025)
- Average Wage (2025)
Structural Comparison
Data Tables
Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
- Volatility
- Capital Intensity
- Innovation
- Life Cycle
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Methodology
Where does IBISWorld source its data?
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