The United States is one of the worlds largest exporters of sugar. While Sugarcane accounts for the majority of refined sugar globally the lesser known sugar crop is the Sugar beet. The Sugar beet accounts for more sugar production here in the US then sugarcane.
The Sugar beet is in fact a beet. It is a root that has a high concentration of sucrose to make refined sugar. The Sugar beet, when processed, is sliced, boiled and the juices are ultimately used to produce the sugar.
Sugar beets do better in cool climates compared to their southern cousin, Sugar cane. Sugar beets are largely grown in pockets all over the Midwest. Uniquely, the Sugar beet production and harvest in California is reported to happen almost every month to meet demand. The worst time to plant and harvest is the hottest months of summer when the beet quality declines significantly.
The largest area of Sugar beet production is western Minnesota and eastern North Dakota. Minnesota counties like Wilkin, Clay, Norman, and Polk grow incredible amounts. Polk County Minnesota is averaging around 90k acres planted with yields around 33 tons/acre. In Eastern North Dakota counties like Traill, Grand Forks, Walsh, Pembina are planting heavily. Pembina is doing around 60k acres at around 30 tons/acre.
While the northern midwest is planting Sugar beets heavily, the best yields are found in the Western United States in parts of Idaho, California and Washington that have counties yielding 36-40 tons/acre.
While yielding more per acre is always good in farming, what's unique about Sugar beets is that the crop is actually graded on the sugar content in the beet. In colder climates the sugar declines much slower.
Learn about Sugar beet Yields: HERE
Learn about where Sugar beets are planted: HERE
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