CZECH SUGAR INDUSTRY ON THE WAY TO MARKET WITHOUT QUOTAS

The sugar beet growing season preceding the 2015/2016 campaign was impacted by severe rainfall shortage and long periods of tropical temperatures. As a result, the root yield is significantly lower than last year; on the other hand, record sugar content values were achieved. The polarizing sugar yield thus amounted to 11.1 t ha(-1). Persistent excess of sugar in the world and European markets continued to weigh on sugar and alcohol prices. The entire beet and sugar industry has been preparing for the new environment after the sugar market deregulation scheduled for October 2017. Demands are expected to grow both for beet growers and for sugar producers. Both sectors will have to take a series of measures in order to remain competitive in the newly liberalized market. For the post-2017 period, both growers and processors must pursue their efforts to continuously reduce costs and maximize efficiency.