NFU Sugar and British Sugar agree sugar beet crop contract

After a period of negotiation, the two organisations said they are “pleased to offer growers”​ a new set of options.

These include a one-year fixed price contract at £33 per tonne, for up to 70% of the contract, as well as a one-year contract with a guaranteed base price of £30.70 per tonne plus an improved market-linked bonus.

The deal also includes a futures-linked contract for up to 50% of the contract.

Growers can choose to split their tonnage between any of these contract options.

Meanwhile, an enhanced yield protection option is available for a reduced price of £31.60 for the fixed price option or £29.30 for the market-linked bonus and futures options.

A cash advance, late delivery allowance and frost insurance are also being offered, in line with previous years. However, NFU Sugar and British Sugar have agreed to relax performance rules for one year only, ensuring growers retain their Contract Tonnage Entitlement (CTE) in 2026 if they deliver at least 70% of their contracted tonnage in 2025/26.

Commenting on the agreement, NFU Sugar board chair Michael Sly said: “I am pleased we have come to a timely agreement with British Sugar for the 2025 sugar beet contract. The offer represents a fair deal in the context of the global sugar market. Importantly it provides growers with a range of choices dependent on their appetite for risk.​

“The Yield Protection acknowledges the continuing threat of Virus Yellows disease and likelihood that the industry won’t be granted emergency use of Cruiser SB in 2025. The relaxation of the performance rules recognises that some growers may wish to grow less this year but retain their entitlement to grow as normal in future years.”​

British Sugar managing director Keith Packer added: “This year’s contract offer to growers has been created in partnership with NFU Sugar. Over the last few years, we have learned how important flexibility and choice is to our growers and have therefore made sure that these are at the heart of this year’s offer. ​

“Whilst the core price reflects the current downturn in sugar markets, we have built in mechanisms which mean growers will share in any potential upside. This means if sugar markets do well, we all do well.​

“I’m now in my second year as managing director of British Sugar and I am passionate about working in partnership with NFU Sugar and our growers. We have redesigned our seed working model in collaboration and we are now building a different type of contracting model. We will continue to evolve and adapt how we work together. Growers are at the core of our homegrown sugar industry, and we will only succeed if we work together."​

In other news, Diageo has reported a decline in organic operating profit during its 2024 fiscal year.​​