Czech and Slovak Sugar Industry - More than Twenty Years after Disintegration of Czechoslovakia

• Published in: Listy cukrovarnické a řepařské Vol. 132; no. 4; p. 144
• Main Authors: Smutka, Lubos, Rovný, Patrik, Pulkrábek, Josef, Rezbová, Helena, Horská, Elena, Urban, Jaroslav
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Czech
• Published: Prague VUC Praha, a.s 01.04.2016
• Subjects: Factories; Sugar industry
• ISSN: 1210-3306; 1805-9708

The paper deals with Czech and Slovak sugar industry development during the period of its transformation. The analysis is focused especially on the period after the disintegration of Czechoslovakia. The main objective is to identify the most significant changes related to Czech and Slovak sugar industry and to characterize its current state. The Czech and Slovak Republics significantly reduced their production capacities in the area of beet sugar respectively sugar beet production. Only nine sugar factories survived until now (seven in the Czech Republic and only two in Slovakia). Those factories produce about 500 ths. tons of sugar a year (70% is produced in the Czech Republic and the rest in Slovakia). The current production performance is able to cover the domestic demand in both countries. Both countries play only limited role within the EU sugar market. The share of Czech Republic and Slovakia in total EU quoted sugar production is about 2.75% and 0.83% respectively. Nowadays, the position of sugar industry in both countries is stabilized. Both countries are able to maintain a high level of self-sufficiency and what is more both are able to take part in European exports of sugar and sweeteners.