Nordic Sugar: Prospects of Above-Normal Sugar Production

15 Aug 2014 --- The first beet tests of the year have just been conducted in Nordic Sugar's four production countries – Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Lithuania. Forecasts indicate that Nordic Sugar's total 2014/15 sugar production will be high, at level with the excellent results of the previous years.

Early spring farming resulted in very early sowing of beets in most areas in Denmark, Finland and Lithuania - approx. two weeks earlier than normal. Overall, growth conditions have been favourable with sunny weather and high temperatures, boosting growth during the high summer months, followed by rain in most areas during August.

Provided that weather conditions remain favourable for the rest of the growth season, the yields forecast gives reason to expect a sugar yield per hectare far above the five-year average in Denmark, Sweden and Lithuania, while in Finland, it will most likely end at about the average.

“Early sowing is a key parameter for achieving high yields and something we focus greatly on, not least in our ambitious 20-20-20 project, the purpose of which is to safeguard the future competitiveness of North European beet growing. Based on this year's efforts in the beet fields and the positive recruitment of more growers and new fields in Finland, we look at the future with great confidence – our first task being to complete this year's harvest,” says Jannik Olejas, Vice President, Beet Procurement.

Based on the yields forecast, production at Nordic Sugar's sugar factories is scheduled to start around mid-September.

As in previous years, two additional beet tests will be performed before production start-up.