Sugar beet yields decline across Europe due to drought

Sugar beet yields across Europe are facing downward revisions due to heatwaves and drought. According to the European Commission’s JRC MARS July bulletin, the average EU yield forecast has dropped to 76 t/ha, a 7% decrease compared to 2025.

Major producers are seeing significant impacts. France and Belgium face projected yield declines of approximately 9%, while Slovakia and the Czech Republic face drops of 17% and 11% respectively. In Poland, the forecast stands at 66 t/ha, which is near the long-term average.

In Poland, monitoring data from Südzucker Polska indicates that while root mass is significantly lower than in previous years—averaging 517 g in week 33 of 2026 compared to 641 g in 2025—the plants are showing high polarization. The estimated root yield in Poland is currently 51.9 t/ha, notably lower than the 65.7 t/ha recorded in 2025. However, final results will depend on the remaining vegetation period and sugar accumulation during August and September.