WASHINGTON — The US Department of Agriculture in its March 31 Prospective Plantings report said processors indicated their cooperative member-growers intend to plant 1,132,000 acres of sugar beets in 2025, up 27,700 acres, or 2.5%, from 1,104,300 acres planted in 2024.

The increase was a surprise to some in the industry who expected planted area may be reduced in 2025 because of strong production and ample sugar supplies from the 2024 crop. Lower prices for alternative crops were noted as a possible reason for the increase.

Sugar beet planting intentions in top-producing Minnesota were 432,000 acres, up 21,000 acres, or 5%, from 2024. Planted area in North Dakota (that along with Minnesota makes up the key Red River Valley production region), was forecast at 222,000 acres, up 6,200 acres, or 2.9%, from last year. Planted area in Michigan was forecast at 136,000 acres, up 800 acres, or 0.6%, from 2024 despite losing 3,582 acres from a share redemption program by grower-members in Canada. Of the four largest beet growing states, only Idaho recorded a decline at 170,000 acres, down 3,200 acres, or 1.8%, from 2024.