GAO Finds Special Protections in U.S. Sugar Program Come at Expense of Consumers, Has Led to U.S. Job Loss

Press Releases

Washington, D.C. (November 1, 2023) – In a new report published yesterday, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) confirmed the financial burdens imposed by the sugar program on U.S. consumers and the economy. The Sweetener Users Association (SUA) pointed to the findings of “Sugar Program: Alternative Methods for Implementing Import Restrictions Could Increase Effectiveness” as further evidence of the urgent need for U.S. sugar policy reform in the 2023 farm bill. …

Portland Press Herald: Commentary: Finding ‘the sweet spot’ for the U.S. sugar program

In the News

Over the years, our nation’s confectioners have adopted new innovations and technological advancements to optimize our operations and maintain affordable prices for our customers. But the U.S. sugar program is failing to keep pace with the needs of the larger farm and food economy, especially American food manufacturers, which today are paying two to three times more for sugar than their foreign competitors.

The problem is that we don’t produce enough sugar in America for all the manufacturers who need it. Limited planted acreage, adverse weather events and supply chain snags can leave food makers without access to a domestic source of sugar. …

The Washington Post: How U.S. sugar protectionism could sour your Halloween and Christmas

In the News

Carl Sandburg’s hog butcher, wheat stacker, city of the big shoulders — was once America’s candy capital, catering to the nation’s sweet tooth. Today it is less so because the federal government interferes with candy’s most important ingredient.

With Halloween on the horizon and Christmas close behind, sugar import quotas might produce shortages of candy corn and candy canes. Herewith another story of industrial policy gone sour. …

New Issue Brief Explains How Sugar Program Administrators Can Update Definition of ‘Refined’ Sugar to Ensure It Actually Is Refined

Press Releases

Washington, D.C. (July 20, 2023) — The Sweetener Users Association (SUA) today released an issue brief explaining that, when domestic sugar supplies are short and import quotas need to be increased, the use of an outdated standard for refined sugar results in imported sugar that fails to meet the needs of consumers and sugar-using companies. The brief offers simple solutions U.S. officials can implement to fix this problem. …

SUA Commends USDA for Allowing Additional Raw Sugar Imports

Press Releases

Washington, D.C. (July 14, 2023) — The Sweetener Users Association (SUA) today commended the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for recently increasing the raw sugar tariff-rate quota (TRQ) by 125,000 metric tons, raw value (MTRV). In its letter, SUA wrote:

We commend USDA for recognizing that by all reasonable metrics, the domestic market remains inadequately supplied. The TRQ increase is a positive step toward supply adequacy, and we thank the Department for its efforts in this regard. …

SUA Letter to Under Secretaries Bonnie-Taylor (7-14-23)

Letters

Dear Under Secretaries Bonnie and Taylor: Members of the Sweetener Users Association (SUA) appreciate the recent increase in the raw sugar tariff-rate quota (TRQ) of 125,000 metric tons, raw value (MTRV).  We commend USDA for recognizing that by all reasonable metrics, the domestic market remains inadequately supplied.  The TRQ increase is a positive step toward…

SUA Supports Amending Definition of Specialty Sugar So No Further Processing Is Required After Import

Press Releases

Washington, D.C. (July 10, 2023) — In comments submitted last Friday to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), the Sweetener Users Association (SUA) supported amending the definition of specialty sugar to “[r]equire no further refining, processing, or other preparation prior to consumption, other than incorporation as an ingredient in human food.” …