364 words / 2 minute reading time 

  • EU sugar production will not meet consumption in 20/21.
  • However, a warm, wet winter has created ideal beet growing conditions. 
  • The only problem is that the pests able to damage sugar beet also thrive in these conditions. 

Production Up (Slightly…) 

  • We expect the EU’s (including UK) sugar production to increase slightly in 20/21, from 17.3m tonnes to 17.8m tonnes.
  • This still means, however, that the EU will produce about 400k tonnes less sugar than it consumes.
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  • This small production increase is almost entirely driven by an increase in expected crop yields.
  • We expect yields in the top 5 producing to be better than in 19/20.
  • In the UK yields will be similar to 19/20 which saw above average yields.
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  • There has not been any significant change in acreage, with a 5% decrease in France offset by small increases elsewhere.
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Beets Starting To Emerge 

  • Sugar beet planting has made good progress across the EU. 
  • After an extremely wet winter, the top layer of soil has dried up enough to allow planting.
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  • Crucially, enough moisture remains below the surface to support good beet growth. 
  • This is exemplified by beet emerging earlier than usual across the UK and Northern Europe. 
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Increased Risk of Pests 

  • We think beets could face a higher than usual risk from pests such as aphids this year. 
  • This is because the warm winter will have been positive for the aphid population. 
  • There is also an absence of already-banned neonicotinoid seed treatments in the soil. 
  • These treatments were banned before the 19/20 crop, but there would have been residue in the soil from previous seasons. 
  • The UK has secured an emergency appeal to be able to spray “Biscaya” pesticide this year, in attempt to keep the aphids under control. 
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  • Aphids cause many yellowing viruses which can damage the beet crop. 
  • This usually effects the crop from June onwards and can cause yield losses of up to 50% as it reduces the plants ability to photosynthesise (turn sunlight into energy for growth).

Ben Seed

Ben joined CZ’s analysis team in 2016 on a year long internship before returning to the University of Bath to complete an Economics Degree. Since re-joining in August 2018, Ben has led the data insights team in expanding the range and quality of data available internally and to clients through CZ App. Ben spent 3 months in CZ’s Singapore and Bangkok offices to expand his knowledge of the region and help roll out the latest data processes. He is now also responsible for the Sugar Market View published each week on CZ App.

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