Is the beet harvest setting a new record?

If the carrot and sugar yield of Dutch sugar beet continues to develop favourably, an average of more than 15 tons of sugar per hectare will be harvested this year. That means that record year 2014 may be surpassed. The prognosis for the carrot yield has been increased to 90 tons per hectare.

The agricultural service of Sugar Union has raised expectations. The latest figures come to more than 90 tons per hectare of beet. As a result, the loading of the sugar beet is delayed. Every grower has more beets than planned. Processing issues have now been resolved.

New record for sugar yield
With an average sugar percentage of 16,8%, the sugar yield per hectare exceeds 15 tons. The current record dates from 2014, when the sugar yield was 15 tons per hectare. In the past week, the average sugar percentage was 16,6% at 10,5% tare.

Campaign extended due to disruptions
Due to the heavy rain, the harvesting of the beets is stagnating. Nevertheless, there is sufficient stock to continue loading and processing. The weather forecasts are favourable, so that harvesting will probably start again soon.

Both the factory in Dinteloord and in Four deserted have encountered disruptions. In North Brabant at the start of the season and last week in Groningen. As a result, the campaign will be extended by a few days. Both locations are now operating at full capacity again. More than 56.000 tons of beets are processed every day.

Tare percentages stable
The sweetest beets currently come from the Groningen clay and the north of Overijssel, with a content of 17,2%. The Groningen peat area is the only other region with a content of 17% or higher. The tare percentages hardly change. It has been relatively wet throughout the campaign. As may be expected, the heavy clay soils score the highest percentages.

Niels van der Boom

Niels van der Boom is a senior market specialist for arable crops at DCA Market Intelligence. He mainly makes analyses and market updates about the potato market. In columns he shares his sharp view on the arable sector and technology.

n.vanderboom@boerenbusiness. Nl

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