Ukraine's substantial sugar imports into the European Union have resulted in a significant drop in prices, raising concerns for the EU's sugar industry. Leaders of France's major sugar maker, Tereos, have urged the reinstatement of import quotas to prevent unfair competition and protect the bloc's sugar producers. The removal of EU import quotas in solidarity with Ukraine after Russia's invasion has led to an influx of Ukrainian sugar, causing a paradigm shift and impacting European sugar flows.
Tereos CEO Olivier Leducq emphasized the need for import quotas to avoid a repeat of past events that forced sugar factory closures. The EU's decision not to impose quotas on Ukrainian sugar has sparked protests from farmers who claim unfair competition due to the absence of EU regulations faced by non-EU producers. Leducq estimated Ukrainian sugar imports into the EU at around 700,000 tons in the 2023/24 season, potentially exceeding 1 million tons in the following season, necessitating protective measures for the EU's sugar industry.