Restoration and Growth of the Russian Sugar Market

Abstract

The Russian Federation represents a very important stakeholder in the area of sugar beet production and consumption in Europe and Central Asia. The Russian population annually consumes over 5.9 million tonnes of pure sugar. After a long period of stagnation in the Russian sugar industry, the Russian Federation is now aiming to restore production capacities in the areas of both sugar beet growing and sugar production. The ambitious government programme has supported the growth of production potential. The government’s goal is to reduce Russian dependence on imports of sugar, especially white sugar. During the period 1992–2000, there was a fall in Russia’s own cultivation as well as processing capacities, competitiveness decreased, and dependence on imports increased significantly. By contrast, the period 2000–2014 was a resuscitation of the Russian market and economy. This was reflected in an increase in sugar beet production as well as growth in sugar production. Russia’s dependence on imports of sugar from abroad dropped considerably and changed the structure of traded goods containing sugar. This review highlights the most significant trends that have influenced the development of the Russian sugar beet industry and the current trade, in particular.