Russia: Sugarbeet Production Soars
18 April 2007 The country harvested 30 million metric tons (MMT) of sugarbeets in 2007, a 37% increase over 2006 and almost 30% more than previous estimates. Beet sugar production also set a record at 3.2 MMT, and acreage planted to sugarbeets rose 24% in 2007.
The beet yield was 13% higher than in 2006 and significantly exceeded long-term averages. The strong yields were spurred by good weather, renovation of agricultural machinery, increased government support, and better supplies of fuel, fertilizers, and pesticides. The above-average temperatures also resulted in an earlier harvest.
Production in 2008 is estimated to be lower despite slight increases in planted acreage, due mainly to an expected return to historically normal yields. New and existing measures designed to protect domestic sugar producers should result in stable, but high prices.
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