Cristal Union sugarbeet production down 30% due to disease

In France, Reuters reports Cristal Union says it was able to offset two-thirds of its fuel ethanol losses from the COVID-19 pandemic by shifting production and sales to sanitizers. Europe’s second-largest sugar producer won’t be able to maneuver its way out of heavy losses next year, however, because the EU ban on neonic pesticides has led to a 30% drop in sugarbeet production this season, which will lead to reduced sugar as well as sanitizer availability next year.