Sugar production in 2018/19 expected at 1.9 mln tons

Sugar production in MY2018/19 is expected at 1.9 mln tons. This is informed by Ruslana Butylo, Head of the Analytical Department at the National Association of Sugar Producers of Ukraine (Ukrsugar), APK-Inform writes.

"According to our estimates, sugar production this year should reach c.1.9 million tons, which is enough to meet the country's domestic demand and fulfil foreign economic contracts," she says.

Ruslana Butylo also notes that this year sugar beet planting areas reduced to 280 thou. hectares, whereas last year planting areas amounted to 311 thou. hectares.

"This year, we have repeatedly spoken about areas reduction, and it is quite significant — 280 thou. hectares vs last year's 311 thou. hectares. But at the beginning of summer, the weather conditions were favourable, which allowed saving crops in the best condition. Therefore, sugar production will not decrease as much as predicted earlier," she said.

Reference: as of September 26, sugar refineries processed 1.51 million tons of sugar beet. 31 sugar mills produced 178.7 thou. tons of sugar.

Note: Ukrainian sugar market in 2017 was dominated by 10 companies.