While European sugar beet production is under pressure, the Netherlands is distinguishing itself with a positive outlier in yields per hectare. Cosun Beet Company anticipates a high sugar yield per hectare.
Today (Monday, September 8), Cosun started up its sugar factories in Dinteloord, Vierverlaten, and Anklam, Germany. Despite lower allocations and acreage, a large amount of sugar is being grown in the Netherlands. Beet production is under pressure in Europe. France is suffering from yellowing disease and Germany sees the beet disease SBR advancing.
The Dutch sugar producer expects 15 tons of sugar per hectare this year. This is significantly higher than the five-year average of around 13,5 tons per hectare. An early start and favorable growing conditions ensure that the yields per hectare will more than offset the reduction in acreage.
The Dutch sugar beet acreage has shrunk by 5% this year to 83.036 hectares. This reduction is due to a reduction in the allocation from 110% to 100%. This reduction was implemented in response to low sugar prices.
Large supply
Based on reduced acreage and higher yields, Cosun anticipates a total supply of 7,55 million tons of beets. The producer estimates it will take 135 days to process these beets. The average sugar content is currently 16,85%. This assumes a recoverability of 90,5% and 11% tare weight.
At the end of last month, the European Commission's crop monitoring committee (JRC) published a yield forecast for the Netherlands of 86 tons of beets per hectare. Only Belgium scores slightly higher in this regard, with 87,2 tons per hectare. In Germany, yield forecasts are much lower, at 74,6 tons per hectare.