EU-27 sugar production in MY 2025/2026 is forecast to decline due to a reduction in sugar beet planting area, especially in Germany, France, and Poland, although yields are expected to be relatively good thanks to favorable growing conditions elsewhere. As a result, exports are forecast to fall and imports to rise, while consumption is expected to remain broadly stable, with long-term structural declines persisting due to demographic shifts, growing health awareness, and voluntary industry reformulation efforts. Ongoing Free Trade Agreement discussions and negotiations, where sugar access remains highly sensitive, continue to raise concerns among sector stakeholders about potential unfair competition.