Brawley, California, October 21, 2025
News Summary
The Spreckels Sugar Co. plant in Brawley, California, will close after nearly 80 years of operation, marking the end of the state’s sugar beet production. The closure will lead to the loss of approximately 700 jobs and significant economic repercussions for Imperial County, including a projected $16.7 million payroll loss and $28 million in annual economic activity. The decision follows long-term operational challenges and the transfer of processing to a more efficient plant in Minnesota, leaving local farmers without processing options for sugar beets.
California is set to witness the end of its sugar beet production as the Spreckels Sugar Co. plant in Brawley announces its closure, which marks the last sugar beet factory in the state. The owner, Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative (SMBSC), revealed that the plant will cease operations at the end of the current processing year, following March.
The anticipated closure has prompted Imperial County leaders to declare a state of economic emergency, citing significant job losses and economic impacts. As reported by local officials, the community faces the elimination of 249 full-time jobs, which correlates to a loss of $16.7 million in payroll and approximately $28 million in yearly economic activity.
A thorough evaluation of the facility highlighted long-term financial and operational challenges that have led to this decision. The Brawley plant, which has been operational since 1947, holds a prominent place in California’s nearly century-old sugar beet industry.
California’s sugar sector once flourished, at one point producing 50% of the nation’s beet sugar by the 1950s. However, with the closure of the Brawley plant, it is expected that around 700 jobs will be lost, severely affecting both the local economy and agriculture, particularly concerning the 28,000 acres of contracted sugar beet farming that employs roughly 400 workers directly.
The operations of the Brawley plant will be transferred to a more efficient facility located in Renville, Minnesota, a move attributed to rising production costs and decreasing sugar prices. This change will also impact ancillary jobs, such as truck drivers, farmworkers, and businesses involved in fertilizer and seed supply.
In 2019, sugar beets generated $1.18 billion in cash receipts from U.S. sugar farming, with Imperial County achieving yields averaging 40 tons per acre. However, federal regulations will prevent the processing of sugar beets at other facilities once the Brawley plant is closed, effectively ending sugar beet farming in California as no alternative processing options exist within the state.
With the closure occurring in a region that has consistently faced the highest unemployment rate in California, local officials and growers express frustration over the lack of communication regarding the closure decision. Many are now scrambling to explore viable solutions amidst this economic hardship.
SMBSC has invested nearly $100 million over the past decade to modernize the Brawley facility, yet it ultimately could not achieve financial viability. The plant’s closure is a reflection of a larger trend of sugar factory shutdowns across the western U.S., which have been influenced by market conditions and regulatory policies.
As the community grapples with its economic future, discussions of alternative crops are underway. However, the options are limited, raising concerns that fields may be left fallow, leading to a reduction in local employment opportunities.
FAQ
What is the reason behind the closure of the Spreckels Sugar Co. plant?
The closure is due to long-term financial and operational challenges, along with rising production costs and declining sugar prices.
How many jobs will be lost due to the closure?
The closure is expected to eliminate around 700 jobs, including 249 full-time positions at the plant.
What economic impact will the closure have on Imperial County?
The closure will lead to a loss of $16.7 million in payroll and $28 million in annual economic activity.
How will the closure impact local agriculture?
The closure affects 28,000 acres of contracted sugar beet farming, directly employing approximately 400 workers.
Is there a processing option available for sugar beets after the closure?
No, federal regulations will prevent the processing of sugar beets in other facilities once the Brawley plant closes.
What does this closure mean for the future of sugar beet farming in California?
The closure marks the end of sugar beet farming in California, as there are no alternative processing options within the state.
Key Features of the Closure
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Closure Announcement | End of processing year after March |
| Jobs Affected | Approximately 700 jobs will be lost |
| Economic Impact | $16.7 million in payroll loss; $28 million in economic activity loss |
| Acreage Affected | 28,000 acres of sugar beet farming |
| Year Plant Started | 1947 |
| Investment in Modernization | Nearly $100 million over the past decade |
| Current Economic Context | Residing in one of California’s highest unemployment areas |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Calexico Chronicle: Spreckels Sugar Co. to Close Brawley Facility
- Los Angeles Times: California’s Last Beet Sugar Factory is Leaving the State
- The Desert Review: Spreckels to Close Last Sugar Beet Plant in CA
- Wikipedia: Sugar Beet
- IV Press Online: Spreckels Sugar Closing, County Chairman Says
Author: Anaheim Staff Writer
The Anaheim Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREAnaheim.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Anaheim, Orange 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 major conventions at the Anaheim Convention Center, including NAMM and VidCon, exciting games at Angel Stadium and Honda Center, and developments at Disneyland Resort Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce and Visit Anaheim, plus leading businesses in hospitality, entertainment, and innovation that power the local economy As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECostaMesa.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERESantaAna.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
