NFU Sugar and British Sugar have failed to agree a price for the 2027-28 sugar beet crop and the dispute is going to independent arbitration, with a hearing in the second half of October and a determination required by 30 October 2026.

NFU Sugar board chairman Kit Papworth said negotiations had begun early in the season and been conducted in good faith, but the two sides held different views of the market and of growers' costs. British Sugar's agriculture director Dan Green said the company had made its best efforts to reach a fair and timely agreement and recognised the frustration and uncertainty the process caused growers.

British Sugar began the arbitration process in early August, the NFU said; negotiations continue in parallel and a deal could still be reached before the arbitrator rules. Last year the 2026-27 contract was agreed by mid-August.

Mr Papworth warned that the delay could affect cropping decisions at a time when alternative break crops look more attractive. He argued that the case for beet remained strong where the crop suits the land — world sugar prices are rising and demand for British-grown sugar is large, even though the Cantley factory is likely to close this year — if only a price could be agreed.

NFU Sugar represents about 2,300 growers, who grow sugar beet across some 100,000 hectares of eastern England.

Source: Farmers Weekly