Sugar beet production reduced by one third

In 2012, Azerbaijan produced 175.7 thsd tons of sugar beet - 31% less than in 2011.

Last year, the area under sugar beet totaled 3,600 hectares, 3,700 hectares or 51% less than in 2011.

The only clicker sugar beet in Azerbaijan is the association of sugar production, located in Imishli. The company belongs to the group of companies Azersun Holding.

The press service of the holding told Turan that the reduction in the area under this technical culture is associated with the change to planting. In addition, the region lacks land suitable for sugar beet.

Experts of Azersun Holding estimate that costs of farmers growing sugar beets are about 500 manat per hectare. Depending on the income of farmers yield ranges from 800 to 1,300 manat. The holding said that the purchase price of 1 quintal of the raw material is 52 manat. For comparison, the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic a quintal of sugar beet was exported at a price of $ 8.

For the nine months of 2012, Azerbaijan imported about 250 000 tons of raw sugar at a total cost of $ 124 million. Export of granulated sugar amounted to 140.8 thsd tons, at lower than $ 1,000 per ton. - 08B-