German sugar group Nordzucker has announced it will end sugar production at Nakskov Sukkerfabrik on the island of Lolland, with the plant’s sugar output stopping in January 2027 and up to about 150 jobs affected.
The decision was made public on August 25, 2026, in a company press release. DR reports that Nordzucker, which owns the Nakskov factory, presents the move as part of securing the group’s future competitiveness and building a more efficient production network.
Production will continue until the ongoing beet harvest and processing campaign is completed, which the company expects to be in January 2027. After that, the Nakskov facilities are to serve as a packaging site for sugar. All Danish sugar production will then be concentrated at the group’s factory in Nykøbing on Falster.
Nordzucker’s chief executive, Lars Gorissen, stated in the press release that the effort was intensified further this year, leading to the difficult conclusion that the company no longer sees a future for sugar production in Nakskov. The Nordzucker press release points to structural overcapacity in the European sugar industry as the background for the reorganization.
Up to 150 jobs affected
The closure may affect 150 jobs at the site. Berlingske, citing Ritzau, reports that up to 150 jobs will be affected from 2027, and that the exact figure depends on upcoming negotiations. According to Ekstra Bladet, employees have just been informed and will keep working until the campaign ends.
TV2 reports that the factory was built in 1882 and is closing after 144 years of operation. Ekstra Bladet counts 143 years, while The Copenhagen Post writes that the plant is closing after more than 140 years. The variation reflects how each outlet counts from the 1882 opening to the announced end of production.
Troels Frandsen, chairman of the board of Danske Sukkerroedyrkere, called it a truly black day for Danish beet and sugar production. He said the region has a long and strong tradition for sugar beets and sugar factories, and described it as part of the local DNA. Per DR, he and the board will work for close dialogue with Nordisk Sukker to find the best solutions for the future.
Nordzucker says it will continue supplying the market as usual. Earlier in 2026, the company also announced it was halting sugar production at a plant in Slovakia. Ekstra Bladet adds that Nordzucker has stopped raw sugar refining in Finland as part of the same savings effort.
