The sugar beet harvest is going very smoothly this year with good figures. More than 35% of the planned beet volume has already been processed and the sugar content has been fairly stable in recent weeks. The prospects for the beet price have improved for the current season.
This is shown by the figures of Cosun Beet Company. Both the beet harvest and processing are going smoothly this season. The sugar content has been fairly stable in recent weeks and the average of the campaign is 16,5%. The highest sugar contents of around 17% on average are measured in the northern regions. In the southern regions this is below average. The tare percentage averages 9,4% and the recoverability index averages 90,5%. Cosun also reports that leaf mold damage has increased significantly due to the high temperatures.
Higher beet price
The sugar market has taken a significant step up since 2021 and that certainly benefits beet prices in various European countries. Several European beet processors have previously increased the beet price or give a more positive perspective than before. According to Dirk de Lugt, chairman of Cosun, the prospects for a higher beet price at Cosun have also improved.
Although the sugar quotation is currently faltering somewhat on the ICE in London, the price level is still considerably higher than in recent years. According to the European Commission, the price per tonne of white sugar increased by €2022 in September 104, just like in September 2021. Last year the price was €408 per tonne and this year in September it was €512 per tonne of white sugar, an increase of 25%. At the beginning of 2019, the price was still €320 per tonne.