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Sugarbeet struggles continue amid low prices, high input costs

2026 is setting up to be another difficult year for sugarbeet growers.

Curtis Rainbolt with BASF says there are several negative factors.

“It’s a down market. Sugar prices were down substantially last year, which impacts profitability. And input costs are up, so that’s also another challenge. And those factors unfortunately have carried over into 2026.”

He tells Brownfield there have also been weather setbacks this spring, including recent freeze events in the Pacific Northwest where he’s located.

“Our beets normally are up and going pretty well at this point, but a couple weeks ago we had a fairly substantial frost in a lot of our sugarbeet area. So a lot of replanting taking place. So some additional challenges other than just the financial aspect.”

Rainbolt says many sugarbeet growers saw losses exceeding $500 per acre in 2025, and it could be worse this year.