REUTERS
Ukrainian sugar refineries by January 11 had completed the recent production season, which started on August 20, 2016, with a 40.5% increase in output, according to the Ukrtsukor sugar producers' association.
In particular, they processed 13.7 million tonnes of sugar beets and produced 2.01 million tonnes of sugar.
"Despite not very favorable weather conditions, Ukrainian sugar producers kept up to our forecasts and produced over 2 million tonnes of sugar, which is almost 40.5% up on last year," the association's press service quoted chief analyst Ruslana Butylo.
Read alsoUkraine produces almost 1.5 mln tonnes of sugar since Aug 20The association says the quality of sugar beets was better during the past season than in the previous one – the average sugar content of beets was 17.65%, and the sugar recovery rate was 14.68%.
Forty-two sugar refineries were in operation in the past season.
Ukrtsukor also reported that shipments of Ukrainian sugar abroad in 2016 totaled almost 470 tonnes, which is the best indicator in the last decade. Major importer countries were Sri Lanka, Georgia, and Tunisia.
Experts forecast areas under sugar beets will expand in 2017.
"According to our forecasts, areas under sugar beets will grow in 2017, and the beet share among other crops will be gradually restored to previous levels. Large producers have already confirmed plans to sow more fields with this crop," the press service said.
As UNIAN reported earlier, 284,000 ha were sown with sugar beets in 2016, whereas 239,000 ha were under this crop in 2015. The yield of sugar beets in 2015 was 10.3 million tonnes, sugar production stood at 1.43 million tonnes.
Thirty-seven sugar refineries worked in the 2015-2016 marketing year, Ukrtsukor said.