Nordzucker Post 6/2026 - 13 October 2026

Engaging with politicians: a focus on competitiveness, transformation and the sugar tax

The economic situation facing the European sugar industry is precarious. Low sugar prices, high energy costs and growing pressure from imports are putting a strain on sugar companies and, consequently, on beet growers too. Nordzucker is therefore actively raising these issues in the political debate. Discussions with representatives from parliaments of the German federal states, the German Bundestag and the European Parliament also take place regularly at the production sites. On the ground, the importance of beet cultivation and sugar production for jobs and regional value creation becomes clear.

Another key focus of the political discussions is the transition of sugar production towards CO₂ neutral production. Through its GoGreen programme, Nordzucker is working to gradually achieve CO₂-neutral production. This requires investment and long-term planning. Nordzucker is therefore advocating for reliable framework conditions in the political arena.

Currently, the sugar tax planned in Germany is a major topic of political debate. Nordzucker is opposed to the introduction of a sugar tax, as it is not a suitable instrument for improving health, places an additional burden on consumers, the agricultural sector and the food industry, and creates new bureaucracy. At the same time, there is no solid evidence that such a tax would effectively address the complex causes of obesity. The political discussion regarding a possible sugar tax and its specific design is ongoing.

Nordzucker will continue its dialogue with political decision-makers to contribute to the sugar industry’s perspective on these issues at an early stage and in a fact-based manner.