Sugar production in Ukraine down 15 pct

In MY2018/19, the Ukrainian mills produced 1.82 million tons of beet sugar which is 15 pct lower y-o-y, the National Association of Sugar Producers of Ukraine (Ukrsugar) informs.

“In total, 42 sugar mills operated in the season having processed 13.6 million tons of sugar beet, which is almost 10% less than the previous year. Due to the decrease in areas and the volume of raw materials, we have got 15 pct less sugar. However, this is enough to meet the domestic needs and perform foreign trade contracts,” commented Ruslana Butylo, the Deputy Chairman of the Board of Ukrsugar and the key-note speaker of the Sugar World 2019 conference.

According to her, another reason for the decline in MY2018/19 sugar production was the low quality of raw materials. As previously reported by Ukrsugar, in 2018, agriproducers succeeded in achieving a record yield of sugar beet, but the 16.47 pct sugar content was one of the lowest.

The following regions are the leaders of sugar production:

• Vinnytsya — 424 thou. tons;
• Ternopil — 227 thou. tons;
• Poltava — 222.5 thou. tons.

Earlier it was reported that the global sugar deficit in 2019/20 was expected at 1.36 million tons.

The new infographic guide Agribusiness of Ukraine 2017/18 is available by the link.