Russia's sugar beet: decrease in yield, but increase in sugar content and prospects at the same level as last year.

According to data from the agronomic services of sugar beet-growing regions provided by the company "Soyuzrossakhar," the indicators of sugar beet development are lagging behind last year's values. The average weight loss of the root is 12%, the mass of the leaf apparatus has decreased by 37%, while the sugar content of the beets has increased by 2.3%. The daily increase in root mass has also decreased by 24% compared to last year. In some regions, earlier wilting of leaves and a decrease in leaf mass are observed.

According to the final data from Rosstat, this year sugar beet plantations cover an area of 1168.6 thousand hectares across the country. The Central Federal District leads in terms of planting area. Krasnodar Krai has also increased the area of sugar beet plantations.

In late July, harvesting and processing of sugar beets began in Kuban at one of the sugar factories. The director of the plant noted that the initial yield indicators are lower than last year's results due to drought. However, analyses have shown high beet digestibility.

Currently, seven sugar factories in Krasnodar Krai are involved in beet processing. In the region, 3.1 thousand hectares have been harvested, yielding 111.6 thousand tons of beets with an average yield of 356 c/ha. Seven more factories will start beet processing in the near future. Sugar production in August is expected to be at the level of 260-280 thousand tons in Krasnodar and Stavropol Krais, which is lower than last year's level.