Brokers talking up beet quota values

SUGAR beet quota prices are being talked up by brokers and should fall by at least 5-10/t, says an auctioneer who held the first open sale of contract tonnage this week.

Frederick Grounds, of Grounds and Co, March, Cambs, reported keen interest at the event, although only one-third of the 10,524t on offer was sold.

All tonnage below 25/t sold, but very little over 29/t, he said.

Many farmers said that high prices being talked about by others in my profession are totally unsustainable. Its quite apparent that 20-25/t is more realistic.