The “beet of the future”, born from sustainable research based on the experiences of the Italian supply chain.

The objective of the partners CoproB Italia Zuccheri and United Beet Seeds (UBS), headquartered in Belgium, is clear: the next three years they’ll be selecting and developing sugar beet varieties with an improved tolerance for various stresses, caused by global climate change. The program is based on experiences from the entire supply chain and will focus on delivering varieties specifically for the Italian territories.  

In addition to the significant value of developing new beet varieties, there is also a common goal of improving the quality of production. This improvement is achieved through advanced agronomic research, which aims to increase the natural sugar content in beets, even if it means reducing the overall weight of the crop. In fact, for some years now, agricultural entrepreneurs in the supply chain have been complaining about an increasing difficulty in 'polarizing', i.e. being able to rely on a high sugar content in beetroot. After careful analysis of an illustrative sample, it does not seem that the percentage levels reached a few years ago are being achieved. 

Today, advances in genetics and specific agronomic studies of different crops have made significant progress. In this context, CoproB Italia Zuccheri has identified UBS as a partner in the improvement process to meet the needs of the supply chain. UBS, headquartered in Belgium, is a joint venture of the global beet and chicory activities of Groupe Florimond Desprez and DLF Seeds A/S and is specializing in all aspects of sugar beet seed research, production, processing and commercialization. UBS is a corporate, umbrella organization that supplies a number of strong brands such as SESVANDERHAVE, which is the ideal partner to identify and deliver concrete answers to the needs of farmers. 

CoproB Italia Zuccheri's R&D agronomic staff shared that the signed agreement aims to experiment with thousands of old and new varieties in order to select and develop those suitable for our areas, given the current climate trends that are putting the resilience of the sector to the test. As part of the three-year project, techniques and varieties dedicated to autumn and summer sowing will be developed and improved. In particular, autumn sowing, where it is possible to select varieties that are resistant to bolting, could represent a positive turning point for the sugar beet sector in Italy. Currently, sugar beet seeds sown in autumn have a bolting percentage of a few percentage points, which is too high to be competitive compared to spring sowing, which has a much lower bolting index. However, CoproB will not abandon the study of summer sowing, being aware that it is not always an easy path to follow due to the known challenges of production areas.  

"I am very satisfied with the path we are taking with UBS, whom I thank”, highlighted the president of CoproB Italia Zuccheri, Luigi Maccaferri. “The study and development of varieties dedicated to the Italian market is a fundamental aspect for our supply chain in light of climate change. Even going back to testing varieties considered obsolete could open up new perspectives, especially by selecting varieties that have a higher sugar content. Polarization in recent years has gradually decreased to the detriment of the marginality of our members. We have the duty and the task of reversing the trend. While waiting to be able to work on new generations of varieties produced with the new assisted hybridization techniques (tea), we have also set ourselves the goal of developing autumn sowing that could really represent a turning point in the cultivation of beet in Italy. Certainly a challenging path but one that, with UBS, we have decided to travel together.” 

“This is a significant improvement initiative, important for the future of the beet sector, not only in Italy”, added Roberto Balella, Country Manager Italy at UBS. "The path taken highlights the importance of both agronomic and international developments and the boost given by UBS. Satisfaction and success for farmers are both linked to the attention that the sugar factory pays to continuously testing the best varieties, but also to comparing performance and productivity between different sowing periods: spring, early, autumn, but also summer. UBS can make a significant contribution by bringing its experience and genetic heritage to bear. The opportunity is just around the corner."  

For media inquiries, please contact: 

UBS Corporate Communications
email hidden; JavaScript is required  –  www.unitedbeetseeds.com 

UBS – SESVanderHave Italy: Roberto Balella, Country manager
email hidden; JavaScript is required  –  +39 340 751 45 76

CoproB – Italia Zuccheri  
Andrea Gavazzoli, Media & External communications
coprob.com
email hidden; JavaScript is required  –  +39 339 883 77 06

About United Beet Seeds 

United Beet Seeds (UBS) is a joint venture, launched in September 2024, between Groupe Florimond Desprez and DLF Seeds A/S and is specializing in all aspects of sugar beet seed research, production, processing and commercialization. We leverage our combined strengths, extensive expertise and shared passion to expand opportunities for growers and industry in the global beet and chicory seed markets. UBS has a strong focus on innovation and quality, resulting in high-performing and sustainable varieties. Headquartered in Belgium, the company employs over 900 people worldwide.

About CoproB-Italia Zuccheri

COPROB-Italia Zuccheri is a cooperative of sugar beet producers that stands out for its comprehensive management -from the field to the customer- of the supply chain for 100% Italian sugar. The only operator in the Italian sugar beet sector with its two sugar factories in Minerbio and Pontelongo, it was founded in 1962 in Emilia-Romagna and, in sixty years of activity, has established itself on the national market, increasing its turnover and membership base. Fully integrated with its 4,000 agricultural producers (plus another 2,500 raw material suppliers), it offers beet growers agronomic advice and services and coordinates the transport of beet from farms to the two sugar factories, which each generate an annual economic turnover of around €100 million. It has consolidated sugar production in Italy and, by processing mainly the beet of the Cooperative's members, has enhanced the Italian character of the sugar produced, which is certified by authoritative external institutions.