An important focus in 2026 will be negotiating terms with the monopsony processor for the 2027/28 contract which are fair, recognise the higher risks of growing sugar beet, and give growers options to suit their individual businesses.
We will also continue to try and reduce those risks where we can – for example in providing growers with the necessary toolbox to deal with the growing number of pests and diseases in the crop.
All commodity markets are currently under pressure and sugar is no exception.
In our sector, this pressure has been intensified by the government’s disappointing recent decision to expand the ATQ for raw cane sugar through to 2033, allowing sugar often produced in ways which would be illegal here in the UK to enter the domestic market tariff-free.
NFU Sugar will continue to lobby government to ensure upcoming trade deals do not disadvantage domestic growers.
Climate the key variable
As with almost everything in agriculture, the weather and our changing climate remains the key variable on farm.
Novel pests and diseases to the UK such as SBR (syndrome basses richesses) and beet weevil are just across the channel, while the battle against beet moth and virus yellows continues.
We look to the plant breeders and the BBRO (British Beet Research Organisation) to help deliver solutions to all of these challenges in the face of the continuing loss of active chemistry.
“We will be working to ensure sugar beet growers have access to tools to manage their own risks.”
NFU Sugar Board Chair Kit Papworth
NFU Sugar's role
The role NFU Sugar plays in securing emergency authorisations for sustainable, temporary use of plant protection products will become increasingly important, as will our advocacy for a fair, proportionate, science-based approach to plant protection regulation.
Looking forward, we will be working to ensure sugar beet growers have access to tools to manage their own risks: from frost and yield protection, through to the ability to price their sugar beet in a genuine index-linked system, if they choose to.
In my first year as chair, can I thank all the growers for their support of NFU Sugar, and the talented team that work tirelessly on their behalf – it is never taken for granted.
