SUGAR BEETS:
The Industry
SUGAR BEETS IN CANADA
Today's Industry
ASBG’s 200 farm families grow 28,000 acres of sugar beets annually, producing the only source of 100% Canadian sugar— but just 8% of all sugar sold in Canada.
Unlike most countries, Canada allows duty-free imports of raw cane sugar, while refined sugar imports face tariffs. As a result, 1.4 million tonnes of cane sugar—mostly from South America—are imported and refined by Redpath, Lantic, and Surocan. This dependence on foreign sugar has limited domestic industry growth.
Despite that, the Albertan sugar beet industry supports 2,150 jobs and contributes $248 million to the economy. An additional 10,000 acres of sugar beets that are grown in Ontario, but are exported to the U.S.
Canada’s sugar market is also expanding at a rate of 2–3% annually, with their being a major opportunity to increase local production and strengthen the country’s self-sufficiency in sugar.
BUYING & SELLING
Sugar as a Commodity
How Sugar is Sold
Just like wheat, barley, and other raw food ingredients, sugar is a commodity that is bought and sold.
Sugar As A Commodity
Sugar is traded on the I.C.E Stock Exchange in its raw form, Sugar #11, and in its refined form, White Refined Sugar.
Beet vs Cane Sugar
Local beet sugar competes with imported raw cane sugar. Both are Sugar #11 on the stock exchange and are sold at the price of White Sugars Futures once refined.
Differences in Sugar
There is no difference in the molecular makeup of sugar, regardless of it being from a cane or beet plant!
Implications of Cane Sugar
Raw cane sugar can be imported quite inexpensively. This can drive down the price Albertan beet farmers receive, making competition difficult.
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How to Buy 100% Canadian Sugar
Look for the black factory stamp on any bag from Rogers Sugar! If it begins with ‘22,’ that’s 100% Canadian beet sugar inside! Learn more.
FROM FARM TO TABLE
Sustainability & Prioritization
Sustainability
Sugar beets grown for Canadian consumption have been verified as sustainably produced at the Silver Level of SAI’s Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) program.
This independently audited assessment covers 17 key areas of sustainable agriculture, ensuring farmers responsibly manage resources to benefit the environment, economy, and communities. More than just sugar beets, this verification applies to the growers' entire farming operations—confirming their commitment to sustainability at every level.
Prioritizing Domestic Sugar
Canada is the only G7 nation without a Domestic Sugar Policy (DSP)—a framework that helps countries prioritize homegrown sugar production. Without it, Canadian beet growers face constant competition from imported cane sugar.
ASBG is urging the Government of Canada to implement a DSP that supports beet sugar production, ensuring a sustainable, ethical, and local source of 100% Canadian sugar for families nationwide. A DSP could help double current production and industry effects. Learn more or show your support by signing the petition!
BUYING & SELLING
Sugar as a Commodity
Composition
Sugar beets are comprised of approximately 75% water, 20% sugar, and 5% fibre, or pulp.
Growing Season
Growing from May - October, sugar beets are the first crop to be planted, and the last to be harvested.
Water Usage
Requiring approximately 20” of water throughout their growing season, all sugar beets are grown with the use of irrigation.
Colour and Shape
Sugar beets are a white, tear-shaped root plant that weigh between 3-5lbs.
Sustainability
All Albertan sugar beets have been verified as sustainably grown and produced at the FSA Silver Level.
Bi-Products
Aside from granulated and icing sugar, sugar beets are also refined into molasses, and beet pulp, a high-fibre livestock feed.
How Sugar is Sold
Just like wheat, barley, and other raw food ingredients, sugar is a commodity that is bought and sold.
Sugar As A Commodity
Sugar is traded on the I.C.E Stock Exchange in its raw form, Sugar #11, and in its refined form, White Refined Sugar.
Beet vs Cane Sugar
Local beet sugar competes with imported raw cane sugar. Both are Sugar #11 on the stock exchange and are sold at the price of White Sugars Futures once refined.
Differences in Sugar
There is no difference in the molecular makeup of sugar, regardless of it being from a cane or beet plant! (Or if it came from a genetically modified seed!
Implications of Cane Sugar
Raw cane sugar can be imported quite inexpensively. This can drive down the price Albertan beet farmers receive, making competition difficult.
How to Buy 100% Canadian Sugar
Look for the black factory stamp on any bag from Rogers Sugar! If it begins with ‘22,’ that’s 100% Canadian beet sugar inside!
FROM FARM TO TABLE
Sustainability & Prioritization
Sustainability
Sugar beets grown for Canadian consumption have been verified as sustainably produced at the Silver Level of SAI’s Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) program.
This independently audited assessment covers 17 key areas of sustainable agriculture, ensuring farmers responsibly manage resources to benefit the environment, economy, and communities. More than just sugar beets, this verification applies to the growers' entire farming operations—confirming their commitment to sustainability at every level.
Prioritizing Domestic Sugar
Canada is the only G7 nation without a Domestic Sugar Policy (DSP)—a framework that helps countries prioritize homegrown sugar production. Without it, Canadian beet growers face constant competition from imported cane sugar.
ASBG is urging the Government of Canada to implement a DSP that supports beet sugar production, ensuring a sustainable, ethical, and local source of 100% Canadian sugar for families nationwide. A DSP could help double current production and industry effects.
Learn more or show your support by signing the petition!
COMMITMENT TO THE INDUSTRY
Farmer Innovation & Investment
Traditionally, farmers plowed their fields deeply to prepare for seeding, which could cause soil erosion and nutrient loss. Today, many growers use "zero tillage," planting directly into the undisturbed soil and leaving crop residue on the surface. In the spring, they may also plant cover crops, like wheat, which are plants grown between main crops to improve soil health, prevent erosion, retain moisture, add nutrients, and suppress weeds. Additionally, thanks to the introduction of Genetically Modified (GM) sugar beet seed in 2005, farmers no longer have to till between sugar beet rows multiple times a year to remove weeds. Now, they can spray safe herbicides, reducing soil disturbance, fuel use, and erosion while improving soil fertility.
LOW OR ZERO TILLAGE
GPS-guided seeders ensure precise planting, reducing seed waste and improving crop uniformity. Modern harvesters work faster and use less fuel, making harvesting more efficient. These advancements save time, labor, and resources while increasing yields.
EQUIPMENT ADVANCEMENTS
GM sugar beets, introduced in 2005, allow the use of safer herbicides with lower toxicity than caffeine. Herbicide applications have dropped from 5–6 times per season to 1–3, reducing chemical use and fuel consumption. This results in healthier crops and a lower environmental impact.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Since the 2010s, drought-resistant sugar beets and advanced irrigation systems have improved water efficiency. Smart pivots monitor moisture levels and adjust watering automatically, with some controlled remotely. These innovations reduce water waste while maintaining crop health.
WATER RESEARCH
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE INDUSTRY
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AN OVERVIEW
HISTORY
Canada has a longstanding history with sugar beet production. The crop has spanned the entire country and has provided a source of 100% Canadian sugar since the late 1800's. Despite being the only G7 country without a trade policy that prioritizes local production, the industry has continued to be successful and ready for growth.
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SUGAR BEETS IN CANADA
1881
The first refinery in Canada designed to extract sugar from beets, La Compagnie de sucre de betterave de Québec, was established in Farnham, Québec. Two more Québec-based beet refineries started in the same year.
Photo: Farm laboruers working in a Canadian sugar beet field. Year unknown. Source: Nikkei National Museum -- 2010.23.2.4.139
ALBERTA'S INDUSTRY START
1903
In 1903, Jessie Knight opened the Knight Sugar Factory in Raymond, Alberta. This was the first sugar beet refinery in Western Canada and marked the start of the industry in Alberta.
The factory was built with state-of-the-art equipment for the time, using technology similar to sugar beet factories in the U.S. The first crop was planted in 1903, but the yield was lower than expected due to poor soil conditions and harsh weather.
Photos: Knight Sugar Factory in Raymond, 1904. Source: BYU
EARLY CHALLENGES
1906 - 1914
By 1906, the Knight factory in Raymond was facing serious challenges, including low beet production and high operational costs. Jesse Knight invested additional funds to keep it running, but Alberta’s beet yields remained unreliable.
Farmers found it hard to compete with cheaper sugar imports, and by 1914, the factory officially closed due to continued financial losses.The building was later repurposed for grain storage before being dismantled.
Photo: 1902 sugar beet harvest delivery in Alberta. Source: Galt Museum.
INDUSTRY REVIVAL
1920's
After the 1914 closure of the Knight Sugar Factory in Raymond, Alberta, the Canadian sugar beet industry went through a period of decline before experiencing a resurgence in the 1920s, particularly in Alberta and Ontario.
In 1925, the Alberta Sugar Beet Growers (ASBG) was founded to support farmers and promote sugar beet production.
Photo: Phil Baker presenting to ASBG Board, 1951. Source: Glenbow Museum
THE RETURN TO ALBERTA'S INDUSTRY
1930's
In 1930, a new sugar beet processing plant opened in Raymond, Alberta, marking the industry’s return to the province. This time, the industry had better farming techniques and improved crop yields, making it more sustainable.
Photo: Canadian Sugar Refinery in Raymond, Alberta. 1936. Source: Glenbow Archives PA-925-11
THE INDUSTRY SURGE
1940's
In 1940, Rogers Sugar opened a sugar beet refinery in Winnipeg, Manitoba, expanding domestic sugar production in Western Canada.
During World War II, there was a surge in demand for domestically produced sugar as imports were disrupted. This led to increased government support for sugar beet farming. The sugar beet industry expanded in Alberta and Ontario, with farmers growing more acreage to meet demand.
Photo: Manitoba Sugar Company plant (1942). Source: Archives of Manitoba
ALBERTA'S TURNING POINT
1950
In 1950, the Taber Sugar Beet Refinery (operated by Rogers Sugar) was built, which became a major turning point for the industry.
This refinery helped solidify Alberta as the primary hub for sugar beet production in Canada. Over time, it became the last remaining sugar beet processing facility in the country, continuing operations to this day.
Photo: Roger's (Canadian) Sugar Factory on July 20, 1950 in Taber, Alberta. Source: Pilot Evan Bullock, Luehr Studio.
THE WESTERN DECLINE
1960's - 1990's
The sugar beet industry declined in some provinces, including Manitoba, as competition from imported cane sugar increased and severely restricted access to the US market continued.
By the 1980s–1990s, sugar beet processing plants in Quebec (1986), Ontario (1968) and Manitoba (1977) shut down, leaving Alberta as the only province still refining sugar beets domestically.
Photo: Sugar Beet harvest in Southern Alberta during 1960-1970. Source: Galt Museum Archives, 19760204028.
TODAY'S INDUSTRY
2025
Today, the Rogers Sugar plant in Taber, Alberta remains the last sugar beet refinery in all of Canada. As a result, all sugar beets grown for domestic use are planted within 100km of Taber.
Alberta's sugar beet industry contributes 8–10% of Canada’s sugar supply, with the rest coming from imported raw cane sugar, refined in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal.
Photo: Present day Roger's Sugar refinery in Taber, Alberta. Source: Unknown. Contact for credit or removal.
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