Switzerland: Challenging end of campaign for beet growers

Weather conditions transform the end of the sugar beet campaign into an obstacle course. In many places, the torrential rains of the past weeks are preventing the harvest on time. Farmers, agent companies and factories are being put to the test. The industry discussed solutions to best limit the damage for all stakeholders. A principle has already been established: the factories will receive all the beets harvested (photo Pixabay). A product of nature, sugar beet is dependent on weather conditions, recalls the press release from Sucre Suisse SA published Tuesday December 19. The particularly heavy rainfall in recent weeks has put all stakeholders under pressure. Due to soggy soils, it is hardly possible that the approximately 15,000 tonnes of remaining beets can be harvested before the end of the campaign, the majority being in Zealand. The necessary machines risk sinking into the ground and the ground would suffer significant damage. “Ultimately, it is up to the grower to decide ...