You're reading: Ukraine cuts sugar production by 34% since start of season

Ukrainian sugar refineries as of October 1, 2012 had produced 292,000 tonnes of sugar from the new harvest beets, which is 34% down year-over-year, the Ukrtsukor association has told Interfax-Ukraine.

The association said that as of October 1, 2012, 54 companies refined sugar, while at the same time last year 59 refineries were operating.

The refineries have taken delivery of 3.57 million tonnes of beets, and processed 2.5 million tonnes.

As reported, according to Ukrtsukor’s forecasts, Ukraine this season will produce 1.8 million tonnes of beet sugar, compared to 2.33 million tonnes in 2011.

The annual capacity of the Ukrainian beet sugar market is evaluated at 1.8-1.9 million tonnes.