1.4 million tonnes of sugar beet processed at Newark factory as British Sugar concludes successful campaign

More than one million tonnes of sugar beet have been processed at the Newark factory, which has now closed after another successful campaign.

British Sugar’s Newark factory was the last site to close its gates over the weekend as the UK’s homegrown sugar beet industry concluded its 2024-25 campaign.

Dan Green, agriculture director at British Sugar said: "I am pleased to say that the 2024-25 campaign has been a strong one for the UK beet sugar industry. The weather has been – for the most part – kind and, thankfully, the growing area has received nothing like the amount of rain or frost which we experienced in the last two campaigns.

“Growers have delivered average, or better than usual, yields and this has been complemented by solid factory performances across the board.

“We’re delighted with the combined efforts of our growers, hauliers, harvesting contractors, factory teams and everyone involved in the campaign for getting us to this stage safely and in good order.”

A total of 7.7 million tonnes of sugar beet has been processed by British Sugar’s four factories, producing approximately 1.1 million tonnes of sugar.

Around 210,000 tonnes of this was produced in Newark.

This campaign also saw the launch of two new apps to help log crops awaiting collection and deliveries to the factories.

More than four million tonnes of beet was recorded using the apps during this campaign, and British Sugar plans to continue work with industry partners to improve the technology.

Attention has already turned to the 2025-26 campaign, with planting well underway off the back of a colder winter and frost patches which Dan is “optimistic” will help keep down levels of aphids carrying Virus Yellows disease which pose a risk to the sugar beet industry.