Sugar beet cooperative Cosun has raised its yield forecast for sugar beets to 15,5 tons per hectare. A month ago, at the start of the beet campaign, the forecast was 15,1 tons of sugar per hectare.
The differences are significant, but yields are generally good. Drought, in particular, is causing lower root weights in some areas. Sugar content is high this year, averaging 17,2%, while tare remains low at around 7%. These results have prompted the beet processor to revise its harvest forecast upwards.
In the fourth week of the campaign, the sugar content rose to 17,3% nationwide. Beets from Tholen and Sint Philipsland lead the way with an average sugar content of 18,5%. Although the sugar content in Wieringermeer increased to 17% last week, the average there still lags behind at 16,4%.
SBR disease found
The IRS research institute reports that the SBR disease has been found in two Limburg beet samples. Along with RTD, this is one of two new diseases on the rise. In 2023, four SBR infections were identified, three from the Roermond area and one from the Noordoostpolder.
In Germany, these two new diseases are already causing significant damage in certain areas. Sugar levels in affected beets are dramatically low. More than 100.000 hectares of beets in Germany have already been affected by these diseases. SBR and RTD are transmitted by leafhoppers that overwinter in winter grains.