Sugar production season 2019-20 started in Ukraine

Sugar production season has started in Ukraine. Radekhiv Sugar was the first to start sugar beet processing. The plant functions since on September 1st processing sugar beet of the 2019 harvest, the National Association of Sugar Producers of Ukraine (Ukrsugar) reports.

According to Radekhiv Sugar agronomist Vasiliy Kosar, sugar beet harvesting started on August 27th in the fields of the Zahidny Bug company, which is the raw material zone of the Radekhiv Sugar Plant. The total area to be harvested is 8.2 thou. ha, and the producers are set to harvest sugar beet by December 5 depending on weather conditions.

"This year, the majority of sugar mills have delayed the start of the new sugar beet processing season until later. The reason, as we have pointed out before, was unfavourable weather conditions, as in most regions of Ukraine hot and dry weather formed the soil crust which complicates the technological process of harvesting. In other parts of the country, due to heavy rains, the sugar content of root-crops has decreased, so agrarians have suspended fieldworks, waiting for the improvement of the crop quality. It is these factors that influence the reduction of sugar beet harvesting rates," said Ruslana Yanenko (Butylo), Deputy Chairman of the Board of Ukrsugar.

Under the report, the situation in the fields is expected to improve, and most of the plants will start operating by the end of September. 

The number of factories operating in the season was cut by overproduction and low sugar price observed recently. Only 32 plants will be launched this season, less from previous years.