Brawley, California, October 21, 2025
News Summary
The shutdown of the Spreckels Sugar Co. plant in Brawley, California, signals the end of sugar beet production in the state, risking hundreds of jobs. Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative plans to close the facility after the processing year ends in March, impacting about 700 jobs and $16.7 million in payroll. The closure also affects 28,000 acres of contracted sugar beet farming and will force operations to relocate to Minnesota, straining an already struggling local economy.
California
The closure of the Spreckels Sugar Co. plant in Brawley, California, marks the end of sugar beet production in the state, putting hundreds of jobs at risk. The plant’s owner, Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative (SMBSC), announced that the facility will cease operations at the end of the current processing year, which concludes in March. This decision will eliminate the last remaining sugar beet factory in California.
Imperial County leaders have declared a state of economic emergency in response to the closure, revealing that the shutdown will lead to the loss of 249 full-time jobs and $16.7 million in payroll. It is projected that the closure will affect approximately 700 jobs overall, further straining the local economy, which has already been struggling with one of the highest unemployment rates in the state.
The evaluation of the plant’s operational and financial feasibility indicated long-term challenges that rendered continued operations unsustainable. The Brawley facility, in operation since 1947, has been part of California’s nearly century-old sugar beet industry that once thrived, producing 50% of the nation’s beet sugar during the 1950s.
Additionally, the closure will affect 28,000 acres of contracted sugar beet farming, which employs around 400 workers directly. The operations from the Brawley facility will be relocated to a more efficient factory in Renville, Minnesota, driven by diminishing sugar prices and increasing production costs. Furthermore, it is anticipated that the closure will have ripple effects on ancillary jobs, such as those for truck drivers, farmworkers, and businesses reliant on the sugar industry, including fertilizer and seed companies.
In 2019, sugar beets were responsible for generating $1.18 billion in U.S. cash receipts from sugar farming, with yields in Imperial County averaging 40 tons per acre. The termination of operations at the Brawley facility means that federal regulations will prevent the processing of sugar beets in other facilities in the state, effectively signaling the end of sugar beet farming in California due to the lack of alternative processing options.
The impact of the closure is exacerbated by existing economic challenges; local growers and officials have expressed frustration over the lack of earlier communication regarding the decision. Many are now facing uncertainty and scrambling to find potential solutions to mitigate the consequences of the impending loss of jobs.
Despite SMBSC’s investment of nearly $100 million over the past decade to modernize the Brawley facility, financial viability could not be achieved. The trend of sugar factory closures across the western U.S., influenced by shifting market conditions and federal policies, aligns with this current development. The community is now exploring alternative crops, although viable options are limited, raising concerns about fields lying fallow and resulting in decreased local employment.
FAQs
What plant is closing in California?
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How many jobs will be lost due to the closure?
What will be the economic impact of the closure?
What will happen to the sugar beet farming in California?
Key Features of the Closure
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Closure Location | Brawley, California |
| Owner | Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative (SMBSC) |
| Job Losses | Around 700 jobs |
| Payroll Loss | $16.7 million |
| Annual Economic Activity Loss | $28 million |
| Affected Agricultural Area | 28,000 acres of sugar beet farming |
| Processing Shift | Operations to be moved to Renville, Minnesota |
| Historical Context | End of nearly century-old sugar beet industry in California |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Calexico Chronicle
- Wikipedia: Sugar Beet
- Los Angeles Times
- Google Search: Spreckels Sugar Co
- SFGate
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Sugar Industry
- Farm Progress
- Google News: California Sugar Beet Factory
- Imperial Valley Press
- Google Scholar: Sugar Beet Closing California
- KYMA
- Google Search: Impact of Sugar Factory Closures
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
