Nordzucker Post 5/2026 - 23 July 2026

A look at the fields: Good development, future weather conditions crucial

Sugar beets in the Nordzucker growing regions have, for the most part, developed well since sowing began until the start of July. Following a largely successful emergence and favourable growing conditions in many regions, the stands are generally in a satisfactory condition. Stand density is at a good level in many places.

In Germany, in many areas, the beet crops benefited from sufficient rainfall in recent weeks prior to the heatwave. In Denmark, Sweden, Lithuania and Finland, too, the crops are generally stable. Regionally, however, dry spells with little rainfall, high temperatures or isolated hailstorms are posing challenges for the plants.

The situation in Poland is also characterised by varying conditions. Whilst heat and drought initially led to leaf damage in some regions, uneven emergence in other areas hampered crop development; nevertheless, the beets are now generally in good condition.

Pest control measures to date have been successful overall in all countries. In many growing regions, no additional insecticide treatments have been required so far. Leaf diseases have so far occurred only sporadically, meaning that fungicide treatments have hardly been necessary to date.

The spread of the cicada Pentastiridius leporinus, which transmits the beet disease SBR (Syndrome Basses Richesses = low sugar content syndrome), is being closely monitored. Occurrences have been detected in most of our German growing regions and, for the first time, in Poland as well. Monitoring indicates an increase in populations and further spreading, particularly in Lower Saxony.

„It is still too early at this stage to make a reliable assessment of the harvest. The further development of the crops will be significantly influenced by weather conditions in the coming weeks, as well as by disease and pest pressure. The foundations for a good harvest have currently been laid, but how the rest of the season unfolds remains crucial,” emphasises Björn Kiepe, Head of Agri Consulting & Shared Agri Services.