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Sugar Production in Germany - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Melanie Katz Melanie Katz Frankfurt, Germany Last Updated: October 2024 WZ C10.81DE

Revenue

€4.0bn

2024

€4.0bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

€XXX.Xm

Employees

5,451

Businesses

4

Wages

€XXX.Xm

Sugar Production in Germany industry analysis

The sugar production industry has an oligopolistic market structure. The combined market shares of the three players Südzucker, Nordzucker and Pfeifer & Langen cover almost the entire German sugar market. However, sugar-producing companies have faced major challenges in recent years. For example, the abolition of the EU sugar quota in October 2017 resulted in an overproduction of sugar and an associated fall in the price of sugar, which put the industry players under high pressure on margins. Between 2019 and 2024, revenue from sugar production increased by an average of 5.5% per year. Since 2021, the industry has recorded strong revenue growth as players have been able to pass on rising prices for input factors such as sugar beet and energy to their customers for the most part. IBISWorld expects turnover to grow by 2.2% to €4 billion in 2024.In recent years, the increase in health awareness has at times led to consumers reducing their sugar consumption or replacing sugar with alternative sweeteners such as honey or agave syrup. Food and beverage manufacturers have also responded to the health trend and are increasingly developing sugar-reduced and sugar-free products. At the same time, however, global sugar consumption is growing continuously, which is primarily due to the increasing consumption of sugar in emerging countries. As a result, exports are becoming more important for sugar manufacturers and downstream industries. The exception is 2020, which was characterised by a decline in exports by German confectionery manufacturers due to the coronavirus crisis, which had a slightly negative impact on sugar sales. In 2021, the industry was able to benefit from the increased global market price for sugar and offset some of the decline in sales from previous years.By 2029, IBISWorld expects industry turnover to fall by an average of 1.5% per year to €3.7 billion. Although the number of industry players is unlikely to change in the coming years, the number of sugar factories is expected to fall slightly due to ongoing competitive pressure.

Trends and Insights

  • Only four sugar producers are active in Germany. In 2014, the Federal Cartel Office imposed fines on Südzucker, Nordzucker and Pfeifer & Langen for illegal market agreements.
  • White sugar accounts for a large proportion of the industry's turnover. White sugar is pure granulated sugar that contains only very low levels of mineral impurities.
  • Most of the sugar producers' factories are located in the central region. The family-owned company Pfeifer & Langen has its headquarters in Cologne and operates sugar factories at other locations in North Rhine-Westphalia.
  • Sugar produced abroad can substitute products manufactured by industry players. However, the import duties on sugar imports from third countries prevent the import of excessive quantities of cheap sugar.

Access hundreds of analysis and data

  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 5.5 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €4.0bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Despite the upward trend in sugar production, the industry is under pressure from environmental factors

  • The 2023/24 campaign presented the sugar industry with a number of challenges. Weather extremes such as constant rain, flooding and a lack of sunshine as well as pest and disease infestations affected the harvest yield.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Sugar Production in Germany
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to decline over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Biggest companies in the Sugar Production in Germany

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue (€m)
2024
Südzucker AG
1,754.0
Nordzucker AG
1,270.0
Pfeifer & Langen GmbH & Co. KG
842.0

To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Sugar Production in Germany
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including White sugar, Bagasse, sugar beet pulp and other waste products and Molasses. White sugar is the largest segment of the Sugar Production in Germany.

Trends and Insights

White sugar is used in many areas and in different forms

  • This product segment includes semolina sugar, sand sugar and castor sugar, the latter being a particularly fine-grained sugar. There is also icing sugar made from ground white sugar, loaf sugar made from granulated refined sugar and rock sugar made from crystallised white sugar.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

This industry comprises the production and refining of sugar and the types of sugar produced from it on the basis of sugar beet, sugar cane, maple and palm fruit. The production of milk sugar (lactose) and dextrose (glucose), however, does not fall under the industry definition.

What's included in this industry?

White sugarBagasse, sugar beet pulp and other waste productsMolasses

Companies

Südzucker AGNordzucker AGPfeifer & Langen GmbH & Co. KG

Purchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

RAFFINATIONBAGASSEISOGLUCOSECOGENERATIONLEGUMINOSESMELASSESACCHAROSESTEVIASUGAR BEET PULP

Industry Code

WZ 2008

WZ 10.81 - Sugar Production in Germany

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Only four sugar producers are active in Germany. In 2014, the Federal Cartel Office imposed fines on Südzucker, Nordzucker and Pfeifer & Langen for illegal market agreements.

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

White sugar accounts for a large proportion of the industry's turnover. White sugar is pure granulated sugar that contains only very low levels of mineral impurities.

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets
  • International Trade

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level
  • Total imports, level and trend
  • Total exports, level and trend
  • Trade Balance

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024
  • International trade, including imports by country and exports by country

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
  • Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Most of the sugar producers' factories are located in the central region. The family-owned company Pfeifer & Langen has its headquarters in Cologne and operates sugar factori...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Sugar produced abroad can substitute products manufactured by industry players. However, the import duties on sugar imports from third countries prevent the import of excessi...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

Südzucker AG is one of the world's largest sugar producers. The Südzucker Group is represented in 32 countries and has over 100 production sites.

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Südzucker AG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Nordzucker AG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Pfeifer & Langen GmbH & Co. KG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Südzucker AG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Nordzucker AG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Pfeifer & Langen GmbH & Co. KG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Health awareness has a significant influence on the demand for sugar. More and more consumers are paying attention to a healthy diet and trying to reduce their sugar consumpt...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

The profit margin of sugar manufacturers depends on the world market price for sugar. It can therefore vary greatly from year to year due to fluctuations in the world market ...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Sugar Production industry in Germany in 2024?

The market size of the Sugar Production industry in Germany is €4.0bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Sugar Production in Germany industry in 2024?

There are 4 businesses in the Sugar Production industry in Germany, which has declined at a CAGR of 0.0 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Sugar Production industry in Germany grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Sugar Production industry in Germany has been growing at a CAGR of 5.5 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Sugar Production industry in Germany over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Sugar Production industry in Germany is expected to decline.

What are the biggest companies in the Sugar Production market in Germany?

The biggest companies operating in the Sugar Production market in Germany are Südzucker AG, Nordzucker AG and Pfeifer & Langen GmbH & Co. KG

What does the Sugar Production in Germany include?

White sugar and Bagasse, sugar beet pulp and other waste products are part of the Sugar Production industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Sugar Production in Germany?

The company holding the most market share in Germany is Südzucker AG.

How competitive is the Sugar Production industry in Germany?

The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Sugar Production industry in Germany.

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Competitors

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View all industries in Germany

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in Germany include:

  • German Federal Statistics Office (Destatis)
  • European Statistics Office (Eurostat)
  • United Nations Comtrade

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.