High Polar Ratio Boosts Sugar Beet Producer Income

September 19, 2026 · TarımTR

In sugar beet farming, not only root tonnage but also the polar sugar content significantly determines the farmer's final income and factory yield.

As the harvest season approaches in sugar beet production, farmers' focus is not solely on the root tonnage per decare. The polar sugar ratio, which determines the sucrose content of the product, directly influences both the final processing quality and the net income the farmer will receive. Looking at TÜRKŞEKER's latest campaign records, an average of approximately 159 kilograms of polar sugar is detected per ton of beet. Therefore, simultaneous monitoring of tonnage and sugar quality in beet farming carries significant economic importance.

There is no single, fixed answer in the field to the question frequently asked by producers about how much sugar can be obtained from one ton of beet. According to the 2024/25 campaign period data shared by TÜRKŞEKER, a polar sugar yield of 10.18 tons was achieved against a beet yield of 63.93 tons per hectare. As a result of the mathematical ratio of these two official data points, an average of approximately 159 kilograms of polar sugar per ton of beet emerges. This value clearly indicates the potential sugar richness of the crop in the field.

As the polar ratio of the beet changes, the theoretical sugar content also directly differs. By calculation method, multiplying the polar ratio measured with 1,000 kilograms of beet gives the theoretical polar sugar amount. For example, 120 kilograms of polar sugar is calculated at a 12% polar ratio, 160 kilograms at a 16% polar ratio, and 200 kilograms at a 20% polar level. When a polar ratio of 17.24% is reached, 172.4 kilograms of sugar per ton is formed, exceeding the standard base value by 12.4 kilograms.

According to the TÜRKŞEKER sector report, the base purchase price is determined based on a net 1 ton of A quota beet containing 16% polar sugar. For the 2025 product, the definitive base purchase price was 2,980.80 TL/ton, and with the quota completion premium, it was 3,100 TL/ton. With the actual polar content of 17.24%, the purchase price increased to 3,212.3 TL/ton, and with additional premiums, it averaged 3,297.6 TL/ton. This situation clearly demonstrates that a high polar degree significantly increases producer income per ton.

It is important not to confuse the amount of polar sugar in the beet with the amount of final crystalline white sugar processed and packaged by the factory. According to TÜRKŞEKER definitions, yield refers to the ratio of the amount of sugar produced to the amount of beet processed. Due to technical losses during the processing at the factory, not all of the 160 kilograms of polar sugar per ton of beet can be converted into table crystalline sugar. The technical difference between the theoretical sugar value of the product delivered by the producer to the factory and the industrial output is explained by the yield factor.

The balance between yield and polar in sugar beets varies greatly depending on the geography and climatic conditions. In TÜRKŞEKER's 2024/25 period reviews, the polar sugar yield per hectare reached up to 12.7 tons in the fields of Ilgın and Ereğli sugar factories. In contrast, in the Çarşamba factory region during the same campaign season, this value remained at 5.31 tons per hectare. This significant difference indicates that not only seeds or fertilization but also the regional climate and factory processing conditions are decisive for income.

Producers entering the harvest process should plan their irrigation balance, plant nutrition program, and harvesting timing while considering polar development. Focusing solely on increasing root weight and reducing sugar content can lead to economic loss. Furthermore, as the new purchase price for the 2026/27 production year has not yet been announced by official sources, producers are advised not to use old prices hypothetically in their budget calculations. It will be beneficial for farmers to follow the guidance of agricultural organizations in their regions and factory technical teams in the field.

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