Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2015-2030)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 2.2 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £1.2bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
Producers up their sustainability focus to safeguard revenue
- UK sugar producers are increasing their investments in sustainability to meet evolving consumer expectations and enhance their competitiveness. As the industry depends on a steady supply of raw input materials, investments in improving soil health, water efficiency and carbon reduction are essential to safeguard the industry's long-term viability. According to its 2024 Data Report, British Sugar has invested £360 million in major sustainability projects since 2017, including £300 million in efficiency and circular economy initiatives. These projects reduce British Sugar's environmental footprint and meet the standards of key stakeholders, including retailers who increasingly demand strong sustainability credentials, thereby protecting revenue.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to decline over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Sustainability will stay at the forefront of priorities
- Sustainability will continue to be a key focus for producers. Evolving consumer attitudes and environmental reliance on inputs like beet and raw sugar cane will drive increased investment in stakeholders prioritising top-tier sustainability ethos. In May 2025, British Sugar announced its largest-ever sustainability project, with a planned £43 million steam-drying upgrade at its Wissington Factory, set for operation from October 2026. The upgrade is likely to significantly cut the company's carbon emissions while reducing long-term operating costs as the business shifts towards renewable energy sources, protecting profit.
Biggest companies in the Sugar Production in the UK
| Company | Market Share (%)
2026 | Revenue (£m)
2026 |
|---|---|---|
British Sugar plc | 771.5 | |
T&L Sugars Ltd | 412.0 | |
Ragus Sugars (Manufacturing) Ltd | 31.4 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 3 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Crystalline sugar, Liquid sugar and Molasses. Crystalline sugar is the largest segment of the Sugar Production in the UK.
Trends and Insights
Growing health consciousness diminishes demand for crystalline sugar
- Crystalline sugar is solid sugar in the form of crystals or powder. White sugar is available in icing, caster and granulated forms. Its colour and level of refinement classifies brown sugar.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
This industry covers the manufacture or refining of sugar (sucrose) and sugar substitutes from cane, beet, maple and palm juice. It also includes the production of sugar syrups, molasses, maple syrup and raw sugar. The production of glucose, glucose syrup and maltose doesn’t fall under the industry.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in the Sugar Production industry in the United Kingdom include Crystalline sugar, Liquid sugar, Molasses and Beet pulp and other by-products.Companies
Companies covered in the Sugar Production industry in the United Kingdom include British Sugar plc, T&L Sugars Ltd and Ragus Sugars (Manufacturing) Ltd.Purchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
Related terms covered in the Sugar Production industry in the United Kingdom include molasses, bioethanol, bagasse and nfu.Industry Code
SIC 10.81 - Sugar Production in the UK
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Health consciousness has created barriers for sugar producers.Increasing health consciousness among the British public is driving a decline in demand for sugar-based goods lik...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Employees, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Businesses, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Profit, including historical (2015-2025)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Widespread reformulation dents liquid sugar sales. The introduction of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy in 2018 prompted drink producers to alter recipes to include less sugar, ...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
- International Trade
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2025
- Product innovation level
- Total imports, level and trend
- Total exports, level and trend
- Trade Balance
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2025
- Major market segmentation in 2025
- International trade, including imports by country and exports by country
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
- Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
British Sugar's refineries are located in the East of England. This is due to the favourable climate that supports optimal sugar beet growth, enhancing operational efficiency...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2025
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2025
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Barriers to entry are high. Substantial start-up, legal and capital expenses make it nearly impossible for new entrants to survive in the industry.
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2020-2025
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
The industry is a highly regulated oligopoly. It's dominated by British Sugar and Tate & Lyle Sugars, with the only other operator being Ragus Sugars.
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2021 through 2025
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2025
- Overview of British Sugar plc's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of T&L Sugars Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Ragus Sugars (Manufacturing) Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for British Sugar plc, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for T&L Sugars Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Ragus Sugars (Manufacturing) Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Revenue depends on the world price of sugar. As producers compete directly with imported sugar, a high sugar price means UK producers can charge more, aiding revenue.
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Wage costs surge with escalating National Living Wage. A 6.7% year-on-year increase in the National Living Wage, alongside higher National Insurance contributions, is signifi...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2019-2023)
- Coverage Ratios (2019-2023)
- Leverage Ratios (2019-2023)
- Operating Ratios (2019-2023)
- Assets (2019-2023)
- Liabilities (2019-2023)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Employees per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Sugar Production industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?
The market size of the Sugar Production industry in the United Kingdom is £1.2bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Sugar Production industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?
There are 3 businesses in the Sugar Production industry in the United Kingdom, which has declined at a CAGR of 0.0 % between 2020 and 2025.
How may import tariffs affect the Sugar Production industry in the United Kingdom?
The Sugar Production industry in the United Kingdom is likely to be impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a moderate share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Sugar Production industry in the United Kingdom?
The Sugar Production industry in the United Kingdom is likely to be impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a moderate share of industry revenue.
Has the Sugar Production industry in the United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Sugar Production industry in the United Kingdom has been growing at a CAGR of 2.2 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Sugar Production industry in the United Kingdom over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Sugar Production industry in the United Kingdom is expected to decline.
What are the biggest companies in the Sugar Production industry in the United Kingdom?
The biggest companies operating in the Sugar Production industry in the United Kingdom are British Sugar plc, T&L Sugars Ltd and Ragus Sugars (Manufacturing) Ltd
What does the Sugar Production industry in the United Kingdom include?
Crystalline sugar and Liquid sugar are part of the Sugar Production industry in the United Kingdom.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Sugar Production industry in the United Kingdom?
The company holding the most market share in the Sugar Production industry in the United Kingdom is British Sugar plc.
How competitive is the Sugar Production industry in the United Kingdom?
The level of competition is moderate and steady in the Sugar Production industry in the United Kingdom.
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the UK include:
- Office for National Statistics
- Office for Budget Responsibility
- Bank of England
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
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