Production also increased
Sugar beet acreage increases by 21 percent
The sugar beet acreage in the Netherlands increased by 2016% between 2017 and 21. There is also an increase in the number of companies and in production during this period. This is apparent from the definitive figures of the Agricultural Census and the harvest figures from Statistics Netherlands.
The sugar beet acreage in the Netherlands increased from almost 71.000 hectares in 2016 to over 85.000 hectares in 2017. This means that the acreage will exceed 10 hectares for the first time in 80.000 years.
Changes in the sugar sector
Major changes were made in the sugar market in 2017, which can explain the increase in acreage. For example, the European sugar market regulation and the sugar beet quota have been abolished. With the abolition of the quota, every country and sugar company in the European Union (EU) will be allowed to produce and market sugar without restriction.
On the other hand, agreements have been made in the Netherlands about limiting the production of sugar. Instead of a quota, farmers will receive delivery notes from the 2017 cultivation year. And for those delivery notes, a certain amount of sugar beet may be delivered to the sugar cooperative.
Also increase in companies
The number of companies growing sugar beet also increased in 2017. The number of companies is more than 8.000, almost 4% more than in 2016. More than 1/3 of these are located in North Brabant and Zeeland. However, the acreage in those provinces is only 27% of the total sugar beet acreage. The average surface area per farm in the north (16 hectares) is more than twice as large as in the south (2 hectares).
Sugar beet yields also reached a record high of 2017 tons per hectare in 93. This means that the yield per hectare is 19% above the 10-year average (78 tons per hectare). This increase is partly due to the use of new beet varieties and the favorable growing conditions.
Fifth largest area
In the EU, sugar beet was grown on more than 2017 million hectares in 1,7, 16% more than in 2016. The cultivation area is largest in France (473.000 hectares). The country is followed by Germany (406.000 hectares), Poland (223.000 hectares) and the United Kingdom (111.000 hectares).
With its 85.000 hectares, the Netherlands is in fifth place in the European top 5 of countries with the largest acreage. The Netherlands ranks 3rd when it comes to yield per hectare. Spain leads the way with an average of 92 tons per hectare. France is in second place with 88 tons per hectare.
Kimberly Baker
© DCA Market Intelligence. This market information is subject to copyright. It is not permitted to reproduce, distribute, disseminate or make the content available to third parties for compensation, in any form, without the express written permission of DCA Market Intelligence.