Head of France's sugar beet growers' association (CGB) said France, the EU's
largest beet producer, faces persistent drought that threatens beet yields.
Météo‑France forecasts no rain for the Paris region and northern beet-growing
plains at least until July 14. Concerns over European beet crops, combined with
El Niño, have pushed sugar prices higher; white sugar hit a 9.5-month high on
Wednesday. Earlier this year, ample supply drove sugar to a five-plus-year low,
squeezing sugar producers' margins.
