Ukraine's Sugar Production Season Concludes
Ukraine officially concluded its sugar production season on February 1, 2026. Despite a significant 23% reduction in sugar beet planting area, equivalent to 50,000 hectares, the overall sugar output saw only a minor 4% decline, reaching 1.72 million tons. This is a resilient performance for a key agricultural sector. In the 2024 season, production was higher by 80,000 tons.
This year, Ukraine achieved a record-breaking sugar beet yield of 58 tons per hectare. Furthermore, the sugar content in the beets increased to 17.6%. The sugar extraction rate at processing plants also rose by nearly 1%, reaching 15.17%. A total of 27 sugar refineries processed the beets, with 26 of them being members of the Ukrtsukor association, which collectively produced 1.64 million tons of sugar. One plant operated independently of the association.
Industry Leaders
Expert Yana Kavushevska noted that all these factors effectively counterbalanced the impact of the reduced cultivated area. The leading companies in the sector are:
- Radekhiv Sugar — 32%
- Astarta — 21%
- UKRPROMINVEST-AGRO — 15%
- Teofipol Sugar Refinery — 6%
- ASPIK Group — 5%
The conclusion of the season demonstrates the sector's resilience, having adapted to a smaller planting area through enhanced crop yields and improved beet quality. In the context of global shifts in agriculture, these results indicate a solid potential for the further development and strengthening of Ukrainian sugar production's position in both domestic and international markets.