Germany's sugar beet harvest will be down this year after plantings were cut but overall the crop is developing well in favourable weather, the head of Germany's sugar industry association WVZ said on Wednesday.
Germany's 2005/06 sugar beet crop is likely to fall to 25.46 million tonnes from 27.15 million tonnes in 2004/05, the WVZ said in its first crop estimate this week.
The main reason was an estimated fall in beet plantings to 420,343 hectares against 436,676 hectares in the previous season.
"In the spring, we recommended farmers cut their sugar plantings this season because of the overall uncertainty," WVZ chief executive Dieter Langendorf said.
"This means we will have to expect lower production."
The recommendation was made because of the European Union's plans to reduce its huge sugar market subsidies, including a cut in guaranteed minimum beet prices paid to producers.
There was also uncertainty earlier in the year about the outcome of complaints to the World Trade Organisation against the EU's sugar market support.
But the remaining plantings were developing well. "In general the crop prospects are very good, weather conditions are very favourable," Langendorf said. "I have received positive reports from all regions."
Germany had widespread rain in early August, which disrupted the grain harvest but was positive for sugar beets, he said.
They had good water supply and were able to develop further. The WVZ's second test on sugar beet harvested so far in Germany this year on Tuesday showed sugar content of 15.4 percent against 16.2 percent in the same test at this time last year.
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