American Crystal Wraps Up 2026 Harvest
Farmers for American Crystal Sugar wrapped up the 2026 harvest on Saturday, October 24th, as reported by general agronomist Joe Hastings. Early estimates indicate an average yield of 27.3 tons per acre, with a 17.9% sugar content and a loss to molasses of 1.2%.
Crews efficiently harvested sugarbeets under dry conditions, with the majority of digging and piling occurring at night due to warmer temperatures. According to the USDA's National Agriculture Statistics Service, North Dakota farmers were nearly done with sugarbeet harvest by October 25th, with 96% dug, surpassing the five-year average of 83%.
American Crystal Sugar's farmers planted 398,000 acres this year, and by October 19th, 98% of the crop had been harvested and transported to piling sites. The company operates factories in East Grand Forks, Moorhead, Crookston (Minnesota), Hillsboro, and Drayton (North Dakota).
Even with warmer temperatures, the harvest progressed smoothly, with the majority of the crop piled after dark to maintain optimal temperatures.