Sugar beet yields will decline in the EU in the coming years

The European Commission has published its long-term forecast report 2024-2035. The main causes of this reduction are climate change, sustainability concerns and evolving consumer demand. Sugar production is expected to decline slowly by 2035, driven by a decline in sugar beet yields and consumers shifting to diets with lower sugar intake, especially by reducing the high sugar content of food products. A record increase in the price of sugar was recorded in 2023, leading to an increase in the area under sugar beet, reaching 1.6 million hectares, the highest figure in 6 years. However, the price of sugar in April 2024 has already registered a drop in the European Union, of 13 euros compared to June, to stand at 831 euros per tonne, which is a figure that is 2.3% higher than the value of 2023. Currently, sugar prices are starting to fall, which may cause the beet area to decrease as it is used for other crops and fall to 1.44 million hectares in 2035, as published in its long-term ...