European sugar beet growers are facing uneven competition due to differing cultivation practices across the EU, with some countries providing linked production premiums. The Economic Association of Sugar (WVZ) has voiced concerns about this, arguing that it violates EU rules on exceptional bonus grants and European state aid law. The WVZ has filed a complaint with the European Commission, seeking to establish a level playing field by correcting these distortions. The article highlights the significant financial disparities among countries in 2021, with premiums reaching over 180 million euros for more than 35% of the EU beet area, and the potential advantage in sugar production per ton ranging greatly across Europe.