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08/03/2026 August 3, 2026 Drought and disease hit German sugar beet harvest Drought, extreme heat and disease are taking a heavy toll on sugar beet
08/03/2026 August 3, 2026 Drought and disease hit German sugar beet harvest Drought, extreme heat and disease are taking a heavy toll on sugar beet crops in Germany, with production in the south expected to fall by around a third from last year.
The Association of South German Sugar Beet Growers said such a yield would be the lowest since German reunification in 1990. The poor harvest could also push up consumer prices, with crops suffering in France, Europe's largest sugar beet producer, as well.
Even fields in southern Germany that normally have reliable water supplies are showing clear signs of drought stress. The association said weakened plants are more vulnerable to disease, causing some beets to develop a rubbery texture and reducing the amount of sugar that can be extracted.
The organization represents nearly 10,000 growers across seven regional associations. Its members cultivate around 100,000 hectares of sugar beet and supply seven factories.
The BriefWire