Sugar production in Britain is expected to fall to 1,05 million tonnes this season, down from the prior season’s 1,37 million tonnes, Associated British Foods (ABF) said.
British Sugar — the only British producer of sugar from domestic beet — said in its annual results statement that the decline was due to late drilling in the spring followed by an unusually dry summer.
ABF said production in the 2019/2020 season was likely to be affected by a lower crop area after a reduction in the beet price was agreed with farmers.
The company also said it was disappointed the UK government had rejected an emergency application for the use of neonicotinoids as a seed treatment from next year. лWe believe that this decision is ill-founded and disproportionate», — ABF said.
The use of neonicotinoids, a type of insecticide, has been restricted by the European Union to protect bees.