As of October 27, 2026, Ukrainian agricultural producers had harvested 3.92 million metric tons of sugar beets from an area of 79,500 hectares, which is 42.2% less than the gross harvest as of October 31 of last year. The average yield of sugar beets has also declined, according to data from the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine.
According to the ministry’s preliminary statistics, sugar beets have been harvested from 47% of the projected area.
The average yield is 493.6 centners per hectare, compared to 522.6 centners per hectare last year. Thus, the decline in yield reached 5.6%.
For comparison, as of October 31, 2025, Ukrainian farms had harvested 6.79 million metric tons of sugar beets from an area of 130,000 hectares.
This year, the area from which root crops have already been harvested is 38.8% less than last year’s figure.
Consequently, the significant lag in gross harvest volume is primarily due to the smaller area harvested, although the decline in yield also contributed to the result.
As of October 27, farmers still had more than half of the projected sugar beet acreage left to harvest.
Interim statistics do not yet allow for an assessment of the final 2026 harvest or its potential impact on sugar production volumes.
Sugar beets are the primary raw material for the Ukrainian sugar industry. The capacity utilization of processing plants, the cost of sugar production, and the ability to supply foreign markets all depend on sugar beet production volumes and the sugar content of the roots.
Unlike grain and oilseed crops, which can be stored for relatively long periods, sugar beets require timely delivery and processing after harvest.
Therefore, not only the gross harvest but also the rate at which it reaches sugar mills, the sugar content of the roots, and the length of the production season are important for the industry.
Overall, the harvest campaign in Ukraine is showing mixed results. As of October 27, the harvest of grains and legumes reached 41.7 million metric tons, and that of oilseeds reached 16.91 million metric tons.
At the same time, the harvest of sunflowers and rapeseed exceeds last year’s figures, while sugar beets and soybeans are currently showing a decline compared to last year’s data.
