'Unfair competition threat to beet cultivation'

According to the German trade association of the sugar industry, combating unfair competition is of great importance to maintain sugar beet cultivation. The decreasing number of German beet growers is a signal and concerns the organization.

Special premiums (coupled support) for beet growing in some EU Member States, subsidies and more flexible environmental regulations benefiting several major players in the global market are putting pressure on prices in local markets.

"We see that competition distortion is at the expense of German beet growers," said Günter Tissen, chairman of the Wirtschaftlichen Vereinigung Zucker, in a statement published today (Wednesday, September 1). "We have repeatedly called on the government to take measures against this unfair competition, so far without success. If you want to produce foodstuffs such as sugar locally, growers and producers must be protected against unfair trade practices."

Industry must be able to keep up with additional requirements
In addition, the stricter requirements in the field of sustainability and the environment are a threat to the future of beet cultivation, according to Tissen. "The industry is working hard on alternative cultivation methods, including with new breeding methods and exploring the possibilities of digitization. But developing these takes time. The active substances in current crop protection products should only be taken off the market if there is a good alternative for them. ."

In a preview of the upcoming beet harvest, the Wirtschaftlichen Vereinigung Zucker reports that the beets have developed reasonably well due to sufficient rainfall. But the mold pressure is relatively high and due to a lack of sun, the sugar content is a bit disappointing. That is almost equal to the expectation that Cosun Beet Company announced last week. Cosun keeps the yield forecast at 13,6 tons of sugar per hectare. That is below the 5-year average. Here too there are too few hours of sunshine and a high mold pressure. Infestation by yellowing disease is limited this year.

Jurphaas Lugtenburg

He is a market specialist in grains and other agricultural commodities at DCA Market Intelligence. He also focuses on onions, potatoes, and roughage. Jurphaas also runs an arable farm in Voorne-Putten (South Holland).

j.lugtenburg @boerenbusiness. Nl

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