AFTER A record-breaking campaign this season, Wissington sugar beet factory in Norfolk has been named as the best in the world by British Sugar.

The title of “leading sugar beet processing facility in the world” was awarded after comparing the factory‘s throughput performance against others around the world, explained BS‘s John Smith.

Wissington set a new daily slice record this season when 18,503 tonnes of beet was processed in a 24 hour period.

The factory processes 2.4mt per year – more than any other in the world, said BS.

Welcoming the announcement, chief executive Mark Carr said increasing factory efficiency was vital for meeting future challenges created by the review of the Sugar Regime.

“We believe that any reductions in European production should be made by encouraging high cost industries to rationalise, rather than by forcing cuts on efficient industries like ours,” he said.

“This makes economic sense, and also increases competition amongst the remaining, efficient producers, to the ultimate benefit of the consumer.”