At the traditional Sugar Beet Field Day, organized this year by Sunoko on the fields near Bačko Dobro Polje, farmers exchanged experiences and good agricultural practices. Representatives of Sunoko, which operates within the MK Group, spoke with gathered partners and agricultural producers about the current state of the sugar and sugar beet market, as well as new technologies in production.
In Serbia, sugar beet was planted this year on over 31,000 hectares. Due to unfavorable climatic conditions, planting this year lasted from early March to the end of April, with most of the area sown in late March and early April. Despite the variable weather, frequent rains, cold waves with frost, and difficulties in weed and pest control this season, the crops have a good stand and are in good condition, which is a crucial prerequisite for achieving good yields.
In the context of climate change, rapid adaptation of production technology is of key importance, in which the Research and Development Center of Sunoko plays an important role. Despite the challenges faced by the sugar beet market in recent years, Sunoko continues to hold the title of the most efficient sugar producer in Southeast Europe.
“Maximizing the productivity of sugar beet production is of exceptional importance, especially in unfavorable market conditions, to maintain the competitiveness of this production. Thanks to significant and regular investments by Sunoko in research and development, we continuously work on adapting production technology to challenges posed, on one hand, by climate change, and on the other hand, by the phasing out of an increasing number of pesticides. At this year’s Sugar Beet Field Day, we also presented a variety of sugar beet adapted to changed production conditions, innovations in leaf disease and pest protection, and new concepts for weed control. Timely implementation of all recommended measures is of utmost importance, as any delay and poor choice of crop protection agents lead to reduced yields and quality of raw materials for processing. Special attention must be paid to the soil and measures that contribute to greater moisture conservation and deeper root development, so that plants can survive longer during dry periods in the summer,” stated Slobodan Košutić, General Director of Sunoko.
Events like the Sugar Beet Field Day, which Sunoko traditionally organizes in June for its partners, represent one way for the latest knowledge and technologies in sugar beet production to find their way to practical application and enable agricultural producers to achieve higher yields. Sunoko maintains its position as a long-standing leader in sugar production in Serbia and guarantees stable market supply thanks to the capacities of its sugar factories.
