The start of the sugar beet processing season in the EAEU countries in 2025 demonstrates more active rates compared to the previous period.
According to the operational data of the Eurasian Sugar Association, as of August 26, 43 sugar factories out of 75 began work, including 42 Russian enterprises and one plant in Belarus.
The accumulated indicators indicate the processing of 2.85 million tons of beets and the production of 360 thousand tons of sugar. For comparison, last year in the same period only 34 Russian plants worked, producing 304.5 thousand tons of products.
Experts attribute the positive dynamics to the earlier start of the harvesting campaign.
As noted by IKAR expert Evgeny Ivanov, this will ensure higher production volumes in August-September both in Russia and Belarus.
The beet yield in most regions also exceeds last year’s figures, with the exception of the southern regions.
However, in Krasnodar Krai and Rostov Oblast, farmers faced serious problems due to drought.
In some farms, the yield was so low that it did not cover the costs of harvesting, which forced agricultural producers to abandon harvesting some fields.
For example, in Rostov Oblast, only 13.5 thousand tons were harvested by August 27, compared to 82.6 thousand tons a year earlier, and the yield decreased by 4.5 times.
Despite local difficulties, the overall forecast for the season remains favorable.
Sugar production is expected to exceed 6.6 million tons compared to 6.3 million tons last season.
However, given domestic consumption of 5.65 million tons, imports and carryover stocks, excess supply is forming.
Experts emphasize the need to intensify export deliveries — both in the form of sugar and in the form of deep processing products.
Also, to strengthen positions in the global market, where prices remain moderate, state support for exports, including compensation for logistics costs, is especially important.
