DEVELOPMENT AND POSITION OF SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE EUROPEAN UNION IN 2000-2011

Smutka L., Benesova I., Pulkrabek J., Belova A., Urban J.: Development and Position of Sugar Industry in the European Union in 2000-2011 The paper analyses the development of sugar beet and refined sugar production in the European Union (EU-27) in the period 2000-2011. The main emphasis is laid on changes which occurred in sugar industry both at European Union level and also at the level of individual EU members. The results provide the following findings. The sugar reform in 2006 affected the sugar industry in many European countries. The volume of sugar beet and white sugar production was significantly reduced. The size of sugar industry in EU decreased and many production capacities were closed down. The number of sugar factories decreased by more than 50 % and also the number of people working in sugar industry decreased significantly (cc 50 %). Competitiveness of those sugar producers and sugar beet producers who were able to survive was reinforced. It should be emphasized that the reform fortified the position of main producers and eliminated many of their competitors. The reform affected more production capacities in new EU member countries, while in the case of old EU members the reduction of both sugar beet and refined sugar production capacities was much lower.