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British Sugar proposes reduction in operational footprint to support long-term competitiveness

21 July 2026

British Sugar is today announcing a proposal to reduce its operational footprint from four factories to three, ceasing beet processing at Cantley from the end of February 2027.

Under the proposal, British Sugar would concentrate beet processing operations at Bury St Edmunds, Newark and Wissington. These factories are well positioned and have the capacity to produce the same volume of sugar as today, enabling the business to continue meeting the needs of both retail and industrial customers and to maintain its market position. The existing packaging facilities at Bury St Edmunds, Newark and Wissington will also be maintained, with Newark continuing to serve the company’s brown sugar customers.

The proposal follows a review of the business and is intended to improve efficiency, restore competitiveness and support the long-term future of the UK sugar industry.

British Sugar’s Managing Director, Keith Packer, said:

"This proposal has not been taken lightly. It follows a thorough review of the business and reflects a combination of external pressures, including low average European sugar prices, high energy costs and a market-wide, long-term gradual decline in volumes over time.

“British Sugar will continue to be able to meet demand and maintain our market position with three factories.

"We recognise the uncertainty this proposal will create for our colleagues at Cantley, their families and the wider community. Our focus now is to engage openly and responsibly throughout the consultation process.

“While this is a difficult proposal, we remain confident in the future of the UK sugar industry and believe these changes will help ensure British Sugar remains resilient, competitive and well positioned to continue investing in our people, our customers and the wider homegrown sugar industry for years to come."

British Sugar has confirmed that all Cantley growers will be invited to continue growing sugar beet for the 2027/28 campaign and beyond.

All employees at Cantley are likely to be affected by the proposal. The company will now begin consultation discussions with Unite, its recognised union, and other employee representatives.

Cantley factory will continue to operate as normal throughout the upcoming campaign. Subject to the outcome of the consultation process, British Sugar will explore future options for the site following the cessation of beet processing.

• Press contact: press@britishsugar.com 
• British Sugar is the sole processor of UK’s sugar beet crop.
• British Sugar has always sought to adapt to market conditions. Its operational footprint has moved from 18 factories to the current four over the last few decades, and this proposal would see a reduction to three factories from February 2027.
• British Sugar is a subsidiary of Associated British Foods (ABF) plc.