American Crystal Sugar Company shareholders gathered in Fargo on Thursday, celebrating another strong crop year but preparing for a far tougher marketing environment. The co-op reported the 2024 crop produced 32.2 tons per acre with 13.2 million tons harvested, generating a net payment of $78 per ton. The 2025 crop set a new record at 13.3 million tons with 18 percent sugar content. Despite the strong production, President Tom Astrup warned that demand is weakening and market pressures are mounting. “Demand is down by about four percent from its high two or three years ago. There is no doubt that when 12 percent of Americans are taking a drug that reduces their calorie intake by 20 to 30 percent, it is going to have some negative impact on food demand generally, and of course, all the ingredients that are in that product, including sugar.” ACSC projects its fiscal year 2026 net payment to drop to $43.85 per ton.
