British sugar beet growers will benefit from a new contract free of deductions for crown tare.

In a statement, British Sugar and National Farmers' Union Sugar said the 2019-20 sugar beet contract terms will help deliver transparency and certainty in a highly competitive market.

The one-year 2019 contract price of £19.07/t with no crown tare deduction is said to be the equivalent to £20.42/t under the terms and conditions of previous contracts.

Colm McKay, British Sugar’s agriculture director said: “We’re pleased to have reached this agreement with NFU Sugar and believe it will stand us in good stead for the future.

"Our industry is one of the most efficient in the world and we look forward to continuing to work with over 3,000 growers to produce a quality product.”

NFU Sugar board chairman Michael Sly said: “After a protracted negotiation in the face of difficult market conditions, NFU Sugar has reached an agreement with British Sugar on improving the simplicity and transparency of contracting which we believe will put the sugar growing industry on a firm footing for the future.”

The agreement announced today also includes:

Building on this increased focus on revenue share, British Sugar and NFU Sugar have also agreed to work together to develop a 'greater risk and reward' contract model with the intention of a one-year pilot in 2020-21.

This is an important step forward in giving growers the option to share more of the reward and risk that exists in the sugar market today.

British Sugar and NFU Sugar remain committed to working together to maximise opportunities for what is a highly successful home-grown industry.

Growers can expect to receive their contract offers online or in the post in the week commencing September 24.