Six out of ten adults are unaware that sugar is grown in Britain, according to research revealing that sugar beet is one of British farming’s best-kept secrets.
When asked which countries sugar is grown in, just 36% of British adults selected the UK out of a list of options.
The low level of awareness is in spite of the fact that a majority of sugar consumed in the UK is home-grown.
The poll of 2,000 British adults, which was conducted by ComRes on behalf of British Sugar, found that a fifth of British adults (22%) were unable to produce an answer of any sort on countries of origin for sugar.
The low level of awareness is revealed as British Sugar launches a campaign urging consumers to “Back British Sugar” in advance of the removal of European sugar quotas in October, and of Britain’s upcoming exit from the European Union.
Both changes bring potential opportunities for British Sugar and for the wider UK beet sugar industry.
The British beet sugar value chain supports up to 9,500 jobs in the UK economy, partners with 3,500 growers and directly employs a skilled workforce of 1,400.
'Yields have improved'
Paul Kenward, Managing Director of British Sugar said British farmers have been successfully growing sugar beet for more than a century.
He said: “Yields in British beet fields have improved by more than 25% in the last ten years.
“This, combined with the productivity gains that our £250 million investment in four modern factories over the last five years has brought, leaves the UK’s beet sugar industry ranked the lowest cost beet sugar industry in the world.
“All of which may be surprising to many British consumers who have little idea sugar beet is grown on their doorstep”.
A new 'state-of-the-art' sugar beet processing plant in North Yorkshire is one step closer to being built, as early planning documents have been submitted for its construction. A supply chain of about 3,500 British farmers is expected to supply it.
Mr Kenward added: “We are delighted to see strong sentiment in this poll among shoppers in favour of supporting domestic produce. We look forward to working together with our growers and customers to ensure that the British beet sugar industry goes from strength to strength.”
