This year’s sugar beet crop in the UK is facing several challenges according to processor British Sugar.

After one of the wettest harvests in memory, which led to the longest ever sugar beet campaign in Europe, growers are now facing near-drought conditions. Drilling of the crop was a little later than normal and, like all spring crops, germination has been challenging in some fields with the lack of rainfall.

Commenting, Agriculture Director Peter Watson said:

“Arable farmers are facing challenges in many crops this year due to the extreme weather conditions and sugar beet is no different. This means the emerging plant populations have been mixed – with some very poor.

“We’ve also seen unprecedented numbers of aphids on the crop, increasing the disease threat.

“Although the sugar beet crop has good powers of recovery and recent rainfall is welcome, this would need to persist for some time. We would therefore predict a reduction in crop harvested compared to last year.”