British Sugar’s record-breaking sugar factory leads the world

Claims the title of 'leading sugar beet processing facility in the world'.

10/03/05 Following an extremely successful processing 'campaign' and a record 18,503 tonnes of sugar beet processed in a 24 hour period, the Wissington sugar factory near Downham Market, Norfolk has claimed the title of 'leading sugar beet processing facility in the world'.

Processing around 2.4 million tonnes of UK grown sugar beet every year, British Sugar's Wissington plant is the largest and most efficient operation of its type in the world.

A few beet sugar factories in Europe produce more crystal sugar on a daily basis but none, say British Sugar, process so much sugar beet in a season, or produce so much sugar each year. As a result, they cannot match the efficiency of its UK operation. Some beet sugar factories in Minnesota, USA come close but even with their extended processing season, they don't beat the UK's 'flagship on the fens'.

The UK beet sugar industry produces 1.1 million tonnes of sugar each year for the UK market - just over half the country's requirements. The remaining 1 million tonnes (just under half the UK's requirements) are imported from developing countries.

British Sugar plc is the lowest cost producer in the EU 25.

http://www.britishsugar.co.uk/bsweb/bsgroup/press/2005/record.htm