Michigan Sugar Beets Expects Strong Year

The Michigan Sugar Co. saw a record-breaking year in 2008, producing 4.1 million tons of sugar beets, and they expect to have a high number again in 2009 when all the numbers are in, reports central Michigan’s Morning Sun.

Sugar remains one of the primary ingredients used in food. Ray VanDriessche, director of communications for Michigan Sugar, said this has been the biggest reason for the recent record-breaking numbers of sugar beets produced in the state.

“Because our product is a main staple in the food chain, we have not been severely impacted by the economic downturn,” he said. “Most farms are getting larger rather than shrinking due to higher machinery and input costs. Growers need more acres to spread it over.”

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