British Sugar pauses contracting and seed ordering

British Sugar has temporarily paused contracting and seed ordering for the 2024/25 beet contract, as of 10am today (22nd November).

This is to help facilitate negotiations with NFU Sugar in a bid to agree prices and terms for next year’s contract.

Negotiations are recommencing this week, with the aim of agreeing a contract for next year as soon as possible.

British Sugar contacted its 2,300 sugar beet growers on 1st November with details of its contract offer for 2024/25, prompting a backlash from NFU Sugar.

Defra said in a statement at the time: “There is a well-established process in place to agree the sugar beet price; designed to be independent between both parties, with Government only acting as final arbitrator at the end of the process should no agreement be reached.

“It is very important that all parties involved now continue to follow that process and reach a mutually acceptable outcome.”