Ukrainian sugar causes factories to close in the EU

Sugar prices in Europe have fallen to their lowest level in three years due to an oversupply caused by increased exports from Ukraine, rising sugar beet production, and reduced sugar consumption. This is reported by the Financial Times. The cost of sugar in the EU has fallen by more than a third over the year and stands at 536 euros per tonne. The average cost of its production has increased by 200 euros per tonne since 2017 due to higher prices for agricultural resources, energy, and climate-related risks. Low prices and the rapid increase in operating costs are forcing factories to close. This year alone, five sugar factories in Europe have ceased operations. Including the 14 closures in the UK between 2010 and 2025, the number of operating factories has been reduced to 83. According to producers, the industry has suffered significant losses due to imports, especially from Ukraine. In 2023 and 2024, over 1 million tonnes of domestic sugar entered the EU, leading to increased ...