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Südzucker posts stable first-half sales as biofuel demand offsets low sugar prices - Finance news and analysis from Global Banking & Finance Review
Finance

Südzucker posts stable first-half sales as biofuel demand offsets low sugar prices

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on October 8, 2026

1 min read

· Last updated: October 8, 2026

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Südzucker Reports Stable H1 Sales as Biofuel Demand Balances Low Sugar Prices

Financial Performance and Market Dynamics

Oct 8 (Reuters) - Europe's largest sugar producer Südzucker's reported broadly unchanged sales for the first half of its financial year on Thursday, as strong demand for biofuels partly offset lower revenue from sugar and starch products.

EU Sugar Price Trends

The average EU white sugar price fell to €499 a metric ton in July, its lowest level since August 2022, European Commission data showed.

Südzucker's Financial Highlights

Half-Year Revenue

• Südzucker posted half-year revenue of €4.19 billion ($4.69 billion), compared with €4.20 billion a year ago

Impact of Weather on Beet Yields

• It said droughts and low rainfall since June had led to a substantial decline in expected beet yields

Outlook and Biofuel Sales

• The company had pre-released half-year earnings and raised its outlook in September, citing higher biofuel sales

Currency Exchange Rate

($1 = 0.8925 euros)

Reporting Credits

(Reporting by Tristan Veyet and Aleksandra Kret in Gdansk, editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak)

Key Takeaways

  • Revenue held steady at €4.19 billion in the first half of 2026/27, almost matching last year’s €4.20 billion, aided by growth in CropEnergies (biofuel) and specialty segments, despite declines in sugar and starch revenues (suedzuckergroup.com).
  • Operating EBITDA surged to €303 million, up from €189 million a year ago, driven by improved performance in CropEnergies, specialty products and starch, though sugar segment remained under pressure (suedzuckergroup.com).
  • EU white sugar prices dropped to €499 per metric ton in July—the lowest since August 2022—while drought and low rainfall since June significantly reduced expectations for beet yields (agriculture.ec.europa.eu).

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What were Südzucker's first-half sales figures?
Südzucker reported half-year revenue of €4.19 billion, nearly unchanged from €4.20 billion a year ago.
How did biofuel demand impact Südzucker's financials?
Increased biofuel demand helped offset lower revenues from sugar and starch products, stabilizing the company's sales.
Why did Südzucker experience lower sugar revenue?
Südzucker's sugar revenue fell as the average EU white sugar price dropped to €499 a metric ton in July, the lowest since August 2022.
What affected Südzucker's beet yields?
Droughts and low rainfall since June caused a substantial decline in expected beet yields.
Did Südzucker adjust its earnings outlook?
Yes, Südzucker raised its earnings outlook in September, citing higher biofuel sales.

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