News and views

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26/6/2025

European Commission - Grok AI summary of documents

EU Sugar Market Outlook for 2025/26: Production Declines, Trade Dynamics Shift

The European Union’s sugar market is poised for a challenging 2025/26 marketing year (October 2025 to September 2026), with a projected decline in production and shifting trade patterns, according to the latest reports from the Expert Group for the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets. Sugar Beet Cultivation and Production Forecast: The area sown to sugar beets for the 2025/26 season is estimated at 1.351 million hectares, a 10.6% decrease from the 1.512 million hectares in 2024/25. The decline in cultivated area is expected to result in lower sugar production, forecasted at 15.214 million tonnes for 2025/26, down from 16.563 million tonnes in the previous season. Despite the reduced output, sugar beet yields are expected to rise by approximately 4% above the five-year average, reaching 76.3 tonnes per hectare across the EU, driven by favourable conditions in southern Europe and the Baltics. However, disease pressure, particularly in central and southern Germany, where up to 30% of sugar beet crops may be affected by aphid-transmitted diseases, poses a significant risk to yields. Consumption, Stocks, and Trade Dynamics EU sugar: Consumption is projected to remain relatively stable at 13.9 million tonnes, slightly down from 13.96 million tonnes in 2024/25. Beginning stocks for 2025/26 are estimated at 1.997 million tonnes, with ending stocks slightly higher at 2.041 million tonnes, indicating a balanced supply outlook. Isoglucose production is expected to hold steady at 500,000 tonnes. Imports for 2025/26 are forecasted to increase to 2.23 million tonnes, up from 1.48 million tonnes, with 70% expected to be white sugar. In 2024/25, imports reached 413,000 tonnes, primarily from Ukraine (21%), the UK (18%), Mauritius (17%), and Colombia (13%). Notably, Ukraine’s exports to the EU totaled 90,000 tonnes in the first eight months of 2024/25, but new tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) may limit further growth. Exports are projected to decline to 3.5 million tonnes from 4.2 million tonnes, with key destinations including Israel (15%), the UK (12%), and Lebanon (6%). In the EU, agrometeorological conditions are mixed: a persistent water deficit in western Belgium, central France, and eastern Germany threatens spring and summer crops, while excessive rainfall in northern Italy has impacted winter crops. Despite these challenges, positive yield prospects in southern EU countries and the Baltics provide some optimism. Conclusion: The EU sugar sector faces a contraction in 2025/26, driven by reduced beet cultivation and disease pressures, though stable consumption and increased imports should maintain supply. Trade dynamics, particularly with Ukraine, and global price volatility will be critical to monitor as the season unfolds.

6/6/2025

Reuters

EU Reimposes Tariffs on Ukrainian Sugar, Eyes New Quota Deal

The EU reinstated pre-war tariffs and quotas on Ukrainian agricultural imports, including sugar, effective Friday, ending wartime exemptions started in 2022, Reuters reports. Ukrainian sugar imports surged to 400,000 tons in 2022/23 and over 500,000 tons in 2023/24, far above the pre-war 20,000-ton quota, prompting EU farmers’ concerns over cheaper imports. EU Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen said new sugar quotas will be “significantly higher” than pre-war levels but lower than recent imports. Negotiations for a new EU-Ukraine trade deal began June 2, with a potential agreement by summer, balancing support for Ukraine and EU farmers’ interests.

27/5/2025

JRC MARS Bulletin

EU Sugar beet – early sowing thanks to good weather

In western Europe – particularly northern France, the Benelux countries and, to a lesser extent, Germany and Poland – dry and sunny weather allowed sugar beet sowing to begin up to three weeks earlier than usual. Favourable conditions prevailed throughout the sowing period, enabling an even earlier completion. Further east, in countries such as Czechia, Slovakia and Romania, sowing was on schedule. The continued dry weather facilitated rapid progress and, overall, crops are currently in good condition. However, the ongoing lack of rainfall across almost all the producing Member States, including Nordic countries, raises strong concerns, as adequate soil moisture is essential for successful emergence of the plants. The sown area across Europe is expected to decrease by between 5 % and 10 % this year, as a consequence of the drop in sugar prices in 2024.

26/5/2025

Euractiv

Ukraine’s farm minister warns of ‘moral losses’ from EU agriculture tariffs

The EU's decision to throttle trade in agricultural products with Ukraine will trigger big losses for the national economy this year and undermine efforts to plug the country into the bloc's single market, Agriculture Minister Vitalii Koval said Monday. The measure - approved by EU member states last week at the behest of big farming states - will take effect from 6 June and rolls back full trade liberalisation introduced after Russia’s full-scale invasion back in 2022. The new rules will reinstate 2017 tariff quotas on Ukrainian agricultural exports, a policy that will harm more than just the food industry. “What about the moral losses? This is not calculated in billions, but millions of Ukrainian citizens supporting integration into the EU,” Koval said during an appearance at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council (AGRIFISH) in Brussels on Monday. Koval said that the war has decimated Ukraine's other major industries, such as chemicals and steel, leaving agriculture to account for 17% of the country’s GDP. That means that a return to pre-war tariff quotas with the EU will work out at losses of between €2.8 billion and €3.5 billion for Ukraine in 2025. But for the European Commission, the move to revert to old trade rules is just a temporary fix while negotiations continue over a longer-term trade framework between Kyiv and Brussels.

12/5/2025

Reuters and ABF

British bioethanol industry faces 'existential' threat after US trade deal, producers say

Britain's two largest bioethanol producers have warned that last week's U.S.-UK trade deal which removed tariffs on U.S. ethanol entering the UK has triggered an "existential threat" to the industry. Thursday's agreement will see Britain's 19% tariffs on U.S. ethanol fall to zero through a 1.4 billion-litre (370 million gallon) quota - a figure equating to the size of the UK's entire ethanol market today. See also: https://www.abf.co.uk/media/news/2025/vivergo-and-the-uk---us-trade-deal

8/5/2025

The White House

United Kingdom to grant a preferential duty-free TRQ of 1.4 billion liters for U.S. ethanol - White House

Today, on the 80th anniversary of Victory Day for World War II, President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a historic trade deal, providing American companies unprecedented access to the UK markets while bolstering U.S. national security. This is a great deal for America. President Trump: “The deal includes billions of dollars of increased market access for American exports, especially in agriculture, dramatically increasing access for American beef, ethanol, and virtually all of the products produced by our great farmers.” This trade deal will significantly expand U.S. market access in the UK, creating a $5 billion opportunity for new exports for U.S. farmers, ranchers, and producers. This includes more than $700 million in ethanol exports and $250 million in other agricultural products, like beef.

8/5/2025

NFU Sugar

NFU Sugar welcomes exclusion of concessions on sugar in UK-India trade deal

NFU Sugar has welcomed the decision not to include UK sugar market concessions within a Free Trade Agreement with India. The NFU has said the agreement is ‘balanced and considered’. The exclusion of concessions on sugar has been a key ask of NFU Sugar since negotiations with India began in 2022. India is a major sugar producer and, typically, a significant exporter. Its production is heavily dependent upon an extensive programme of subsidies, price guarantees and other direct support. The WTO (World Trade Organisation) ruled in 2021 that India’s sugar subsidy regime was illegal. However, with India having appealed against the ruling, and the WTO appellate body currently unable to process appeals, its illegal subsidy regime remains in place.

5/5/2025

European Commission Joint Research Centre

Drought over large parts of Europe raises concern

Low rainfall, dry soils, and shrinking rivers are pressuring ecosystems, farming, and transport routes across Europe and neighbouring regions. Driven by a lack of rainfall and above-average temperatures, central, eastern, and south-eastern Europe, as well as the eastern Mediterranean region, are experiencing broadening warning drought conditions. Similar conditions are emerging in north-western Europe. According to GEOGLAM (Group on Earth Observation Global Agricultural Monitoring) Crop Monitor bulletins of March 202512 winter wheat conditions vary across regions, with generally favourable conditions in Europe, although prolonged dry weather has negatively impacted yields in parts of Bulgaria and Romania.

5/5/2025

Le Betteravier Français

European sugar beet acreage to decline by 7% in 2025 - CGB

The area devoted to sugar beet in the EU27 will decrease from 1.555 million to 1.443 million hectares between 2024 and 2025, according to a report (€) in Le Betteravier Français quoting CGB, the French sugar beet growers' group.

29/4/2025

ABF

ABF Sugar: Low EU and UK sugar prices with high beet costs contribute to operating loss in 2024/25

In Sugar, persistent low European sugar prices and an operating loss in our UK bioethanol business, Vivergo, are impacting overall profitability in 2025. Challenges in Tanzania, due to the overhang of high levels of sugar imports in 2024, and in South Africa, due to drought, are also impacting performance. As a result, we now expect Sugar to have an adjusted operating loss of up to £40m in this financial year. In our Spanish business, Azucarera, the deterioration in market conditions has demonstrated that the cost base is structurally too high. As a result, we are close to completing an operational review, which is assessing a number of scenarios to restructure this business. In Vivergo, the way in which regulations are being applied to bioethanol is undermining the commercial viability of our business. We are having constructive discussions with the UK Government to explore regulatory options to improve the position. There is no guarantee that these discussions will be successful, and we will either mothball or close the Vivergo plant if necessary. The actions we are taking in Azucarera and Vivergo increase our confidence that Sugar profitability can recover over the medium term. The timeframe for recovery in the Sugar segment is longer than we had originally expected due a slower-paced rebalancing of supply and demand in European sugar markets and a delay in the recovery of profitability in Tanzania.

3/4/2025

Euractiv

Kyiv urges EU to extend food trade benefits until year’s end to prevent pre-war scenario

The Ukrainian government will urge the European Commission to extend the current temporary trade benefits - set to expire on June 5 - until the end of the year, aiming to prevent a return to pre-war trade barriers between Kyiv and the EU. Oksana Osmachko, Ukraine’s deputy minister for agrarian policy, said on Thursday that Kyiv’s efforts are currently focused on extending the so-called Autonomous Trade Measures (ATMs) to allow more time for negotiating a long-term solution. “As the war has not ended yet, we consider this trade regime should be extended until we find a long-term solution,” said Osmachko at an event organised by Ukraine’s Agribusiness Club (UCAB). The European Commission has repeatedly signalled that it does not plan to extend the ATMs again, as the negotiations on the agricultural part were the most difficult.

25/3/2025

British Sugar

British Sugar has processed 7.7 million tonnes of sugarbeets, producing 1.1 million tonnes of sugar

British Sugar has processed 7.7 million tonnes of sugarbeets, producing 1.1 million tonnes of sugar, matching last season's results. Director Dan Green praised strong yields and factory performances, with optimism for the next season thanks to favorable weather. With centenary celebrations due to take place throughout the year, Dan’s sights are set on the next crop to go into the ground. He continues: “Drilling is now underway in some areas and providing some favourable weather and I am optimistic about the coming season. The colder winter and frost patches seen across our growing areas throughout January and February are expected to keep levels of aphids carrying Virus Yellows disease to a minimum but as always this is closely monitored across the industry".

20/3/2025

Reuters

EU eyes sharp cut to Ukrainian sugar imports after price slump, sources say

The European Commission is looking to cut Ukrainian sugar imports sharply after EU producers complained that large shipments have fuelled a collapse in sugar prices, three sources told Reuters. EU producers complained about cheap Ukrainian sugar imports. EU-Ukraine deal on agriculture under review. Change in imports of other farm products also considered Ukrainian sugar exports shift focus amid EU import concerns.

12/3/2025

AGRANA

AGRANA: Production at sugar factories in Leopoldsdorf (AT) and Hrušovany (CZ) to be ceased

At its meeting today, the AGRANA Supervisory Board has decided the termination of sugar production at its site in Leopoldsdorf in Marchfeld, Austria, and at its site in Hrušovany, Czech Republic, with immediate effect. In Austria, the company's entire domestic sugar production will in the future be based in Tulln. The decision is based on a comprehensive evaluation of the economic and regulatory conditions. Rising production costs, increasing competition due to a decline in sugar consumption across the EU, market liberalisation (Mercosur agreement, sugar imports from Ukraine), and regulatory requirements have made it economically unviable to continue production at two sites in both Austria and the Czech Republic. The sugar market does not allow for the production volumes that would make the operation of the affected sites viable in the medium term, let alone the long term.

10/3/2025

Euractiv

Agriculture - notably sugar - remains a sticking point in EU-India trade talks

India and the EU kick off a new round of trade negotiations today, with the aim of finalising what could be Europe's largest trade deal by the end of the year. But convincing New Delhi to open up its agricultural markets won’t be easy. Talks resumed in 2022 after a nine-year hiatus and are now in their 10th round. As the European Commission accelerates trade deals amid growing geopolitical uncertainty, securing a deal with India - home to 18% of the world's population - has become a top priority for Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Sugar sector voices concern European farmers are also concerned - particularly about Indian sugar imports, as the country is one of the world's biggest producers. When trade talks resumed in 2022, the European Parliament insisted that India remove its “enormous” sugar subsidies, following a WTO ruling that they breach international trade rules. In a press statement issued last week, the European sugar manufacturers' association CEFS and the sugar beet growers' association CIBE said they "oppose" any further opening of the EU market to Indian imports.

10/3/2025

Ukraine Business News

The EC is considering granting Ukraine access to the European single market as part of a final peace agreement

The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will propose granting Ukraine access to the European single market as part of a final peace agreement. Ukraine’s access to a market with 449 million consumers will provide a much-needed economic boost for Ukraine’s recovery. Under the plan, Brussels will choose which economic sectors to open to Kyiv and which to keep closed.

7/3/2025

New Scientist

Ozempic is increasingly being linked to vision loss. What’s the truth?

Drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy could raise the risk of a rare form of vision loss, but we are still trying to unpick why. Ozempic, Wegovy and similar drugs are, without a doubt, revolutionising medicine. They have transformed our ability to manage obesity and type 2 diabetes, but have actually shown potential for a wide range of conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, addiction and depression. Yet, as our understanding of the benefits of these drugs grows, so too does our knowledge about their potential side effects, one of which appears to be a rare type of vision loss called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), which most commonly includes cloudiness, blurring and dark spots. “Given that millions of people are taking these drugs, even with rare side effects, that can [amount] to anywhere from tens of thousands to even potentially hundreds of thousands of people who could be at risk,” says Mohit Sodhi at the University of British Columbia in Canada.

28/2/2025

Südzucker (via LinkedIn)

Südzucker successful ending of beet campaign 2024/2025

With a new beet record, the Südzucker Sugar Division ended the 2024/2025 beet campaign at the last site that was still running (Zeitz). Zeitz recorded the longest campaign duration of all 16 European Südzucker plants and reached the two million tons mark for processed beets for the first time. 🚀 We are proud to have successfully completed the beet campaign, especially thanks to the great efforts and commitment of our farmers, partners and employees. However, due to low sugar content in the beets the overall sugar production remained below expectations. The past beet campaign was also marked by sustainability activities: As part of our sustainability strategy, we have doubled our investments in CO₂ reductions and tripled CO₂ reductions compared to 2023 – key projects include the conversion from coal to gas in several plants and first steps in electrification. ‘We are proud of the progress we have made and remain committed to our SBTi-validated targets for sustainability and efficiency improvement,’ says Dr Rainer Schechter, CEO of the Südzucker Sugar Division.

27/2/2025

Sugar Producer Magazine

Ukraine Sets Historical Sugar Export Record

The year 2024 became a record year for the Ukraine domestic sugar industry — Ukrainian sugar producers set a historical record for sugar exports, sending 746.3 thousand tonnes of sugar to foreign markets for $419 million. This is the highest indicator of sugar exports within a calendar year according to statistics, which dates back to 1997, when the National Association of Sugar Producers of Ukraine («Ukrsugar») was established. Forty percent of exports in 2024 came to the European Union countries while 60 percent were exported to the global market. On the global market, the main countries which were importers of Ukrainian sugar were the MENA countries (Middle East and North Africa) and North Macedonia.

26/2/2025

Agropress Czechia

Low sugar prices may prompt a sugar factory closure in the Czech Republic

There is a surplus of sugar in Europe, which is pushing down the price of sugar and sugar beet and making sugar beet cultivation unprofitable , the Czech Sugar Growers' Association said in response to a question from ČTK. Minister of Agriculture Marek Výborný (KDU-ČSL) told journalists in Brussels on Monday that he had discussed the current situation on the sugar market with his Austrian colleague Norbert Totschnig and would like to find a solution. According to Výborný, the surplus and falling price of sugar have their consequences; according to his information, one of the two sugar factories owned by the Austrian company Agrana in the Czech Republic, the Moravian-Silesian Sugar Factory, should close in the Czech Republic. There are now seven sugar factories in the Czech Republic.

24/2/2025

Politico

Ukraine’s EU trade future in limbo as Trump turns hostile

When European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Union leaders roll into Kyiv on Monday to mark the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion, Ukraine will be looking for answers — on military aid, political backing and a critical economic question: trade. At risk of losing its privileged access to the EU market this June, Ukraine is scrambling to get an extension of tariff suspensions that have helped keep its economy afloat in wartime. But as Kyiv presses for clarity, European leaders are stalling, caught between pledging continued solidarity, the shifting stance of United States President Donald Trump, and appeasing antsy farmers at home.

24/2/2025

ASR Group

Tate & Lyle Sugars Bestowed Royal Warrant from King Charles III

ASR Group is please to share Tate & Lyle Sugars has been granted a Royal Warrant of Appointment by His Majesty King Charles III. This distinguished recognition permits the use of the Royal Arms in connection with our business in the United Kingdom, underscoring the exceptional standards and quality we proudly uphold. A Royal Warrant is one of the highest accolades a business can achieve, steeped in centuries of tradition. Originating in the 12th century, Warrants have been granted by monarchs and senior members of the Royal Family to select businesses that meet rigorous standards. Today, only around 550 companies worldwide hold this special privilege, placing Tate & Lyle Sugars among an exclusive and esteemed group. Previously, we were honored to display a Royal Warrant from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on our UK products for more than 60 years. When Queen Elizabeth died in 2022, we entered the rigorous reapplication process for the new King’s Warrant. “Our success in being awarded a new Royal Warrant reflects the hard work that we all put in to making our business a success,” said Gerald Mason, Tate & Lyle Sugars’ Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs. “It’s a recognition of the long history that we have in the UK, and our proud 100-plus year history of supplying the Royal Household. Additionally, the Warrant is a reflection on the progress that we have made when it comes to sustainability.”

18/2/2025

NFU Sugar

NFU25: Opportunities and challenges for the future of sugar beet

NFU Sugar continues to play a vital role in strongly lobbying government and collaborating with the wider supply chain, Michael explained, securing opportunities for growers in the face of changing expectations. Key among its asks of government are: Revisions and additions to ELMs. Tangible support in the face of an “ever shrinking plant protection toolbox”. A level playing field in trade policy.José Orive, Executive Director of the ISO (International Sugar Organisation) questioned what the word sugar industry of tomorrow might look like, giving examples of the actions and innovations undertaken by industries to build in resilience in the face of changing expectations: biofuels, bioplastics, leaf proteins and SAF (sustainable aviation fuel). “Around 70% of the sugar [globally] comes from cane, 30% comes from beet. But socially, environmentally [...] we are facing the same challenges. We are facing the same pressures from government and if I may be undiplomatic, we are being handcuffed with a shrinking toolbox for sugar.”

16/2/2025

Yorkshire Bylines

Starmer seeks an EU reset, but sends mixed signals to the EU on trade and alliances, and clings to US ties

Keir Starmer was in Brussels last week to ‘reset’ the restive relationship. He received a warm reception. Based on my own experience – as a former EU trade negotiator and head of the EU delegation to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and United Nations in Geneva – the UK should propose the following package of negotiations: Harmonisation of customs’ IT systems (they are incompatible today) and alignment of the UK’s carbon border adjustment mechanism with that of the EU; Negotiations on mutual recognition of product certification (quite easy, since most approved certification bodies are multinationals present in both jurisdictions) and electricity markets integration; Relaxation of restrictions on cabotage (the right to fly or sail or drive your goods to multiple points in the territory of the partner); UK joining the multi-party interim arrangement (the new temporary dispute settlement court in the WTO, which the Tories turned their back on under US pressure); Pharmaceutical and chemicals recognition arrangements; A dialogue leading to recognition of professional qualifications notably legal, engineers, architects, construction; A strategic dialogue on digital and artificial intelligence, building on the G7 consensus.

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