Sugar prices in Europe are increasingly shaped by country-specific challenges, leading to notable variations even between neighboring producers like Germany and the Netherlands. Vesper’s regional sugar price benchmarks (West, South, and East EU) have already given buyers and sellers—whether in bakeries, chocolate production, biscuits, or confectionery—an edge by providing broader market transparency. However, as market complexities increase, the need for more granular, country-level insights has grown.

Take the Netherlands, for example. The 2024 sugar beet season was particularly challenging, with excessive rainfall delaying sowings by over three months in some regions. This led to leaf mould outbreaks, reducing sugar yields to 12.2 tonnes per hectare, well below the five-year average of 13.8 tonnes. On top of that, Dutch farmers had to quadruple fungicide applications, further driving up production costs.

Meanwhile, Germany, despite being the EU’s second-largest sugar producer, is facing a different crisis. Rubbery Tap Root Disease (Stolbur) and Syndrome Basses Richesses (SBR) have severely impacted Southern Germany, cutting yields from 80 tonnes per hectare to just 30 tonnes in some areas and halving sugar content.

Recognizing these increasing market complexities, Vesper has expanded its sugar price benchmark coverage—taking market transparency to the next level by introducing country-specific Vesper Price Index (VPI) prices for Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain. Expanding price coverage to individual countries enhances visibility and allows for more precise decision-making without diminishing the value of regional insights.

Key Features of the New Sugar Price Benchmarks

Countries covered: Germany (DE), the Netherlands (NL), Poland (PL), and Spain (ES)
Sugar type: White sugar, ICUMSA 45
Incoterm: DAP (Delivered at Place)
Frequency: Weekly updates, every Wednesday
Historical data available from: February 2024

Why We Added Sugar Price Benchmarks for These Countries

Each of these four countries plays a key role in the European sugar market, and adding country-specific benchmarks helps capture critical price movements that regional data alone couldn’t fully reflect.

  • Germany is the EU’s second-largest sugar producer and a major supplier across Europe. With strong domestic production, its sugar prices influence the broader market and impact trade flows.
  • Poland & the Netherlands are important production hubs, supplying both Western and Eastern Europe. Tracking their prices separately helps procurement teams stay ahead of shifts in availability and cost trends.
  • Spain is a deficit market, meaning it relies heavily on imports from other EU countries. For buyers, knowing Spain’s sugar price movements is essential for understanding import costs and supply dynamics.


What This Means for Sugar Buyers & Sellers

With weekly, real-time sugar price updates now available at both regional and national levels, procurement professionals can track price movements more precisely, negotiate smarter contracts, and optimize sourcing or selling strategies with confidence.

Country-level benchmarks provide deeper visibility into national pricing trends, helping buyers, sellers, and brokers stay ahead of localized market shifts. Whether it’s weather-driven supply challenges in the Netherlands, disease-related yield losses in Germany, or Spain’s reliance on imports, these insights ensure businesses can react proactively to market changes.

Access Vesper’s Sugar Price Benchmarks 

Want to make smarter sugar buying or pricing decisions? Explore the newly added sugar price benchmarks on the Vesper Price Index (VPI) today and see how country-specific data can enhance your procurement or pricing strategy.