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British Sugar starts 2026/27 sugar beet campaign as factories begin processing

13 October 2026

The 2026-27 sugar beet campaign is now underway with three out of four factories processing homegrown beet. The campaign has started well with good through-puts, after operations began at Wissington factory on 29 September, followed by Bury St Edmunds and Newark factories on the 6 October. Cantley sugar factory is expected to begin processing next month.

Dan Green, Agriculture Director at British Sugar comments: “We are looking forward to the upcoming campaign and expect it to be a relatively short one compared to previous years. It’s no secret that the droughts this summer have been challenging for UK growers, but sugar beet is an extremely resilient crop, with deep roots meaning it can still access water during periods of dry, and hot weather.

“As such, we expect this year’s crop to be variable, with yields reflecting the challenging growing conditions across the region. But we remain confident in the resilience of sugar beet, and the crop is coming out of the ground well with better-than-expected sugar contents, so far. We will continue to work closely with growers to monitor crop health ahead of the winter period.”

Over the summer months, the factories undertake essential maintenance to ensure increased efficiency and reliability throughout the beet processing campaign. Alongside this, investments into energy and carbon reductions are embedded into factory operations. But investments aren’t solely made in the factories, the business is investing across the beet supply chain too.

Dan continues: “We have continued to invest and make improvements to our Lifted, Loaded and Delivered apps, helping to increase visibility across our beet supply chain. These digital tools are particularly helpful in ensuring our factories are fully supplied, as they can more accurately show when and where beet is lifted and stored, and when it’s available to be transported.

“All of these investments, in the field and factory, are helping us to build a more resilient and cost-effective business, positioning British Sugar amongst Europe’s most efficient beet processors.”

As the 2026/27 sugar beet campaign gets into full swing, British Sugar will continue to work closely with growers, harvesters and hauliers as it processes homegrown beet, and delivers quality sugar to customers every day.

• British Sugar is the sole processor of the UK’s beet sugar crop. Working with around 2,000 growers in the East of England, East Midlands and Yorkshire, our four factories can produce up to 1.2 million tonnes of sugar annually.
• We create more than 27 different sugar and co-products and produce less than 200 grams of waste for every tonne of sugar beet processed.
• For more information please contact: press@britishsugar.com