Analysis of sugar beet and sugarcane cultivation, production, and processing in Iran over the past 55 years-A short report

Introduction
Sugar is one of the strategic agricultural products for enhancing food security and meeting the energy requirements of the population. Consequently, it has long been regarded as an essential commodity in Iran and has consistently been a major focus of government policies and planning. This report provides an overview of the cultivation, production, and processing of the country's two principal sugar crops, namely sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) and sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.), over the past 55 years (1971-2025).
Sugar beet
The cultivated area of sugar beet in Iran has shown a declining trend over the past 55 years. The average cultivated area decreased from more than 170,000 during the first decade of the study period (1971–1980) to approximately 117,000 ha during the last decade (2016–2025). In contrast, both sugar beet production . and root yield have increased substantially. Average production rose from 4.1 million t. year^-1 during the first decade to about 6.8 million t. year⁻¹ during the last decade, representing an increase of approximately 65%. During the same period, average root yield increased from 24.2 t. ha⁻¹ to 57.3 t. ha⁻¹, an increase of approximately 137%. In 2025, sugar beet production reached approximately 9.0 million t, with an average root yield of 62.2 t. ha⁻¹. Sugar yield also improved considerably over the study period. The average sugar yield increased from 4.07 t. ha⁻¹ during the first decade to 9.4 t. ha⁻¹ during the last decade, representing an increase of more than 129%. In 2025, sugar yield reached approximately 9.6 t ha⁻¹.
Sugarcane
The harvested area of sugarcane expanded steadily during the study period, reflecting the development of sugarcane cultivation and the associated processing industry. The average harvested area increased from approximately 12,000 ha during 1971–1980 to about 86,000 ha during 2016-2025, representing more than a sevenfold increase. In 2025, the harvested area exceeded 88,000 ha. Despite this expansion, both sugarcane production and sugar output have recently exhibited a declining trend, mainly because of drought and water scarcity.
Sugar production and self-sufficiency
Average total sugar production (from sugar beet and sugarcane combined) increased approximately 2.5 fold from about 618,000 t year-1 during the first decade to approximately 1,56 million t. year⁻¹ during the last decade. Self-reliance coefficient: The average national sugar self-sufficiency ratio exceeded 63% during 1971-1980. During the subsequent three decades (1981-2010), this ratio declined below the level observed in the first decade, primarily because of rapid  population growth and increased per capita sugar consumption. During the last decade, however, higher domestic sugar production, together with slower population growth and a corresponding moderation in sugar demand, resulted in an improvement in the country's sugar self-sufficiency ratio to approximately 70%. In 2025, the sugar self-sufficiency ratio reached approximately 74%.
Sugar imports
Sugar imports fluctuated considerably throughout the study period and did not always correspond to domestic demand. Overall, imports increased from an average of approximately 300,000 t year-1 during the first decade to more than 943,000 t year-1 during the last decade.
Conclusion
The present analysis indicates that the sugar production in Iran has experienced considerable fluctuations over the past 55 years. Climate change, particularly drought and increasing water scarcity, appears to be one of the principal drivers of this production instability. Nevertheless, climatic factors alone do not fully explain the observed trends. Broader issues, including agricultural development policies, sectoral planning, trade management, and market regulations, have also influenced the performance of the sugar sector. Therefore, further research is needed to identify effective strategies for improving the sustainability, resilience, and self-sufficiency of sugar production in Iran.