The importance of the supply chain from the breeding companies to the farmers and the sugar manufacturers is demonstrated using technical quality of sugar beet as an example. The requirements on beet quality are stated from the manufacturing process in the sugar factory. To optimise this process, beet quality has to be improved considering the whole supply chain. The most important parameters are sugar content, molasses loss, alkalinity reserve and emissions which are discussed with regard to the impact of breeding, cultivation and storage. Furthermore, questions concerning future requirements on quality of sugar beet are posed.