The Nordzucker Group is launching this year’s sugar beet campaign with forecasts of good yields with large regionals differences. Expected to end in the second half of January 2018, the campaign will start at the Polish plant in Opalenica with the first batches of sugar beet from the region being processed there from today. 

Over the following week, the other Group countries will then gradually begin sugar production and the campaign will be up and running at all Group plants by October 3. 

A preliminary thick juice campaign has already begun in Nordstemmen on during late August.

Growing conditions
This year, sugar beet was in the ground for an average of 200 days. Growth conditions saw large regional differences as a result of the weather. 

An extremely cold April in nearly every Group country caused a slowdown in the growth of the plants. However, rising temperatures in May helped the beet to recover and grow quickly again. 

While beet in Slovakia had to contend with extremely dry conditions, the weather conditions in other regions were more favorable – despite heavy rainfall in parts.

Dr Lars Gorissen, Chief Agricultural Officer, is optimistic about the upcoming campaign. 

“The weather this growing year was very changeable and characterized by various extremes. Nevertheless, we expect good yields,” he says.

“Whether it’s the new market conditions or changeable weather – beet has demonstrated its profitability, and our new, flexible control models are paying off.” 

This year, organic beet will also be processed in Schladen and Nykøbing for the first time. The Group expects the campaign to end in the second half of January.

“We are facing a long campaign in some cases. Our employees and our plants are well prepared for this,” adds Axel Aumüller, Chief Operating Officer.

Last year, the Group invested around €84 million (US$99.8million) primarily in the maintenance and modernization of production facilities. 

“The market demands a high degree of flexibility from us in every way. This is why we are specifically investing in the efficiency of our plants, in warehousing, logistics and product quality,” continues Aumüller.