U.S.: Sugar Beet Plantings and Harvestings Areas, by year
YearPlanted,
in 1,000 acres
Harvested,
in 1,000 acres
20011,365.31,241.1
20021,427.31,360.7
20031,365.41,347.8
20041,345.61,306.7
20051,299.81,242.9
20061,366.21,303.6
20071,268.81,246.8
20081,090.71,004.5
20091,185.81,148.5
20101,171.91,156.1
20111,232.81,213.2
20121,230.11,204.1
20131,198.01,154.0
20141,162.51,146.3
20151,159.81,145.4
20161,163.41,126.2
20171,131.41,113.8
20181,113.11,096.4
20191,133.0980.1
20201,162.21,141.8
20211,161.01,108.5
20221,159.61,137.5
20231,137.41,127.3
  • Region: United States
  • Time period: 2001 to 2023
  • Published: Jan 2024

Data Analysis and Insights

Updated: Mar 28, 2024 | Published by: Statistico | About Us | Data sources

Harvested Area Trends

Harvested areas of sugar beets in the U.S. saw a significant decrease in 2019 to 980.1 thousand acres, the lowest over the observed period. This marked a sharp contrast from the peak in 2002, when 1360.7 thousand acres were harvested. Following this low, there was a recovery, with 1127.3 thousand acres harvested in 2023, indicating a volatile pattern in harvested acreage.

Planting versus Harvesting Discrepancies

The disparity between planted and harvested areas varied significantly across the years. For instance, the gap reached a high in 2019, with 152.9 thousand acres not harvested from the planted area, highlighting potential issues such as adverse weather conditions or market challenges. Contrastingly, the year 2010 showcased the narrowest gap of 15.8 thousand acres, indicating a more efficient harvest.

Yearly Planting Trends

Planting areas experienced a notable decline starting in 2008, with a drop from 1366.2 thousand acres in 2006 to 1090.7 thousand acres —the lowest in the dataset. However, there was a subsequent resurgence in planting activity, with figures slightly rebounding and stabilizing around 1150 to 1170 thousand acres in the years leading up to 2023.

Overall Acreage Changes

Over the observed period, both planted and harvested acreages of sugar beets showed fluctuations, but the long-term trend indicates a moderate decrease. From 2001's 1365.3 thousand acres planted and 1241.1 thousand acres harvested to 2023's 1137.4 thousand acres planted and 1127.3 thousand acres harvested, the data suggests a shift towards slightly less land being devoted to sugar beet cultivation in recent years.

Comparative Analysis of Early and Recent Years

Comparing the initial years (2001-2003) with the final three years (2021-2023) of the dataset, there is a notable reduction in both planted and harvested areas. The early period averaged 1386.0 thousand acres planted and 1316.5 thousand acres harvested, whereas the later period averaged 1152.7 thousand acres planted and 1124.4 thousand acres harvested. This evolution signifies a downward adjustment in sugar beet cultivation area over two decades.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the lowest harvested area of sugar beets in the U.S.?

The lowest harvested area of sugar beets in the U.S. was 980.1 thousand acres in 2019.

What was the highest disparity between planted and harvested areas?

The highest disparity was in 2019 with a gap of 152.9 thousand acres.

Terms and Definitions

Sugar beet is a root crop known for its high sugar content and is primarily grown as a source of sugar, apart from sugarcane. It can be processed to produce refined sugar, livestock feed, or biofuel.

Plantings refer to the act of sowing seeds or planting seedlings in a designated area. In the context of this article, it refers to the sowing or planting of sugar beet seeds in the ground.

Harvestings refer to the act of gathering mature crops from the fields. It's the point in the agricultural cycle where the crop is collected for procurement and further processing.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is a federal department responsible for executing federal laws related to farming, forestry, rural economic development, and food.

Crop yield refers to the measurement of the amount of a crop that was harvested per unit of land area. It is often measured in bushels per acre or tons per acre and it is an essential indicator of agricultural productivity.

An agricultural season is a period of the year when certain types of crops are planted and harvested. The timing and duration of these seasons can vary, depending on geographical location and the type of crop being produced.

Crop rotation is a systematic approach to managing crops that involves changing the type of crop grown in a specific field on a regular basis. This technique is used to improve soil health, optimize nutrients in the soil, and combat pest and weed pressure.
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