Cosun has registered 270.000 member delivery notes (LLBs) that have changed hands before the 2018 harvest. This is more than 4% of the total amount that the cooperative has issued to members.
The total number of LLBs traded for the upcoming harvest is 270.000, according to Cosun figures. In addition, 1 LLB gives the right to supply 1 ton of beets, with 17% sugar, to the cooperative. The LLBs are traded between November and March and must be credited to Cosun for the coming harvest.
No comparison
There are a total of 6,5 million certificates outstanding among Cosun members. The traded volume, good for a maximum of 289.000 tons of beets, amounts to approximately 4% of the total number of proofs. The cooperative cannot say whether this is a lot or a little. Figures from previous years are not immediately available.
The 270.000 LLBs have been traded in almost 1.000 transactions. It means that 1 transaction amounts to about 270 LLBs. However, it is not about 1.000 different growers, because sometimes 1 seller sells to multiple farmers or there is 1 buyer who buys from multiple parties.
Fewer beets in Flevoland
The number of LLBs has decreased most in Flevoland. The cultivation area (regions 5 and 6 at Cosun) lost about 35.000 LLBs. There are several reasons for this. For example, relatively many arable farmers are switching to organic and selling their rights. The construction plans are also very intensive, which means that sugar beets are not always suitable. The LLBs from these regions can be placed nationally, in connection with transport to Dinteloord or Hoogkerk. Trading from South Limburg to North Groningen is therefore not possible.
Most LLBs have shifted towards the northern clay, sand and peat areas. Both regions each account for 14.000 new LLBs. Approximately 7.000 rights were added in the east and southeast. The South West and West remains stable with less than 5.000 LLBs traded. Cosun notes that most LLBs remain in the region. The transfer from one area to another, looking at the whole, remains small.
No prices known
The allocation per LLB this year is 107%. For the 2019 harvest this is 95%, Cosun announced on Friday, August 24 known. In addition, 1 LLB costs €5,50 at the cooperative. However, in free trade price up to €50 per proof. Cosun does not register the price paid per transaction.