Suiker Unie adjusts revenue downwards

With the first 2 campaign weeks behind us, Suiker Unie has lowered its revenue expectations. The cooperative expects an average yield of 14 tons of sugar per hectare. That is a reduction of more than 10%.

For the time being, Suiker Unie has stuck to their earlier forecast (the one before the drought). This amounted to 14,3 tons of sugar per hectare, which requires a carrot yield of 85 tons and a sugar content of 16,8%. After 2 weeks it is more possible say revenues, causing them to fall further.

Huge spread
The spread between the revenues is gigantic. The worst plots yield less than 30 tons per hectare, while plots with more than 100 tons are also harvested. The sugar content has increased to 16,4%, which means that the beets are relatively sweet. Last year the percentage in the second week was 16%.

The areas where the sugar beets have been able to grow undisturbed show the best results. If new leaves have formed after the rain, this is at the expense of the sugar. Beets from Groningen clay therefore come in at a substantial percentage of 18%. That was not possible in any campaign week last year. With 17,3%, the Groningen sand area stands at 17,2%.

At 14,7%, the sugar content on Goeree-Overflakkee is the lowest. This is probably also partly due to the fact that the root yield is good here, so the content is low on average. After all, large beets contain less sugar.

low tare
The harvesting conditions were favorable in the second week of the campaign. The percentage of 5,5% tare has halved compared to last year, but equal to the also dry autumn of 2016. The extractability is 89,5, slightly lower than before. What complicates the harvesting work is old leaves lying on the ground. This is difficult to remove and will melt into the machine.

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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