Farmer John Collen of Gisleham, Lowestoft says the window to plant beet is rapidly closing as the sides remain deadlocked.

Talks between NFU Sugar and British Sugar over next year’s beet price have gone to arbitration, with a decision due by October 30.

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Talks between British Sugar and NFU Sugar have gone to arbitration after the two sides failed to reach agreement on sugar beet prices (Image: Lucy Taylor)

John, who chairs the Cantley Sugar Beet Growers Group, says he took a “holiday” from growing beet this year because prices were too low.

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"I don't actually have any in the ground this year - £28/t is not enough. We took a holiday last year because the price was not enough - and if the price isn't enough this year we will be taking a holiday again."

He estimates beet needs to be around £35/t for him to come out ahead.

Rising costs have made beet difficult to grow profitably on his farm, with red diesel up from about 75p to £1.25-£1.35........

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