The chairman of the House subcommittee with jurisdiction over farm commodity programs said yesterday that the unique perspectives and bipartisanship of his panel help it function well for U.S. farmers and ranchers. “The demographic and geographic diversity inside the House Agriculture Committee make it special,” Congressman Filemon Vela (D-TX) said at yesterday’s International Sweetener Symposium.
After more than a decade of transition, Europe’s sugar policy reform is finally complete, and it is transferring $2.5 billion a year in wealth from farmers and EU taxpayers to food processors, with no discernible benefit to grocery shoppers.
Congressman David Rouzer (R-NC) predicted significant turnover during the 2020 congressional election, and he encouraged agriculture to use the opportunity to work together to educate new lawmakers about the industry’s importance to America’s future.
America’s farmers and ranchers were blessed during the last Farm Bill debate to be represented by Congressional leaders who worked well together and were determined to pass a farm bill on time and get it signed into law. Sens. Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Reps. Collin Peterson (D-MN) and Mike Conaway (R-TX) were emblematic of how much Congress can achieve when people come together for a common cause.
Hudson, who co-chairs the Agriculture and Rural America Task Force, said America’s sugar industry supports thousands of U.S. farmers, thousands of U.S. workers, and billions in goods and services to the U.S. economy. So, supporting a strong U.S. sugar policy was an easy decision for him in the last Farm Bill.
The average rate of return for U.S. farmers is 1.3 percent this year, marking the fifth straight year of returns below 2 percent, Dr. John Newton, the chief economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), said today at the International Sweetener Symposium.
Congressman Glenn “G.T.” Thompson (PA), the second highest ranking Republican on the House Agriculture Committee, kicked off the 2019 International Sweetener Symposium this morning by telling sugar producers that his vision for the Committee’s future is to “achieve a robust rural economy.”
The world sugar market, which has been battered by low prices, may soon get a reprieve, according to the head of the International Sugar Organization. Jose Orive, the group’s executive director, addressed the International Sweetener Symposium today and said, “World sugar prices have hit bottom, and signs are pointing to a recovery.”
This week marks 13 years since the EU first began tearing down its sugar program after the World Trade Organization found it to be in violation of its international trade commitments. Since that time, Europe’s sugar industry has faced an uncertain future – 83 sugar mills closed and 120,000 jobs were lost – and subsidies remain prevalent as prices plummet below the cost of production.
The U.S. sugar industry has publicly endorsed a concept introduced by Congressman Ted Yoho (R-FL), known as the Zero-for-Zero sugar policy, which would end America’s no-cost policy in exchange for other countries eliminating their trade-distorting programs and letting a true free market form.
Members of the American Sugar Alliance (ASA) praised Congressman Ted Yoho (R-FL) for taking decisive action against foreign sugar subsidies with today’s reintroduction of the Zero-for-Zero sugar policy.
Brian Grunenfelder will work alongside veteran ASA Trade Adviser Don Phillips in helping analyze the complex global trade issues that impact U.S. sugar farmers and shape America’s no-cost sugar policy.
The holidays got a little happier for farmers and ranchers today as President Donald Trump officially signed the 2018 Farm Bill, and with it, extended U.S. sugar policy for another five years. Sugar producers have been vocal supporters of the new Farm Bill, which they say will help rural America cope with slumping commodity prices and extreme weather.
We want to thank Senators Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Congressmen Mike Conaway (R-TX) and Collin Peterson (D-MN), and all of the Conference Committee members for working tirelessly to produce a bipartisan bill that will keep America’s farm safety net strong.
With America’s farm economy in the doldrums, leaders from the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and the National Farmers Union (NFU) today said that smart policies are needed to weather the storm.
As Congress works to complete the 2018 Farm Bill, bipartisan members of Michigan’s Congressional delegation showed their support for America’s sugarbeet and sugarcane producers at this week’s 35th International Sweetener Symposium.
Tearing down trade barriers and holding our trading partners accountable to their World Trade Organization (WTO) obligations top the priority list, he explained. Doud singled out China and India among the biggest subsidy abusers in agriculture and said reform is needed.
Prices continue to fall on the world sugar market as overproduction, fueled by government subsidies, further depresses what has long been considered to be the world’s most distorted commodity market.
On the heels of the latest Farm Bill debate, which saw attacks against America’s no-cost sugar policy soundly rebuffed, Roney questioned whether interest in outsourcing U.S. production to foreign subsidizers had finally fizzled.
The House of Representatives likewise continued the current sugar policy in its version of the Farm Bill after overwhelmingly rejecting a proposal by agricultural critics to depress sugar farmers’ prices with subsidized imports.
The Farm Bill passed today contains a strong sugar policy that will give sugar farmers and workers a fighting chance to survive in a market that is plagued by low prices and ever-increasing foreign subsidies.
Sugar policy will likely come under attack when the bill moves to the Senate floor. Farm policy opponents have signaled support for a legislative proposal that would exclude sugar producers from loans available to other crops, mandate market oversupplies with subsidized imports, and send sugar farmers’ prices back to 1980s levels.
ASA launches new campaign to show lawmakers what’s at stake for cane and beet farmers across the country as they debate the future of sugar.
Sugar farmers from across the country descended today on Capitol Hill for two weeks of meetings with lawmakers. And their message is crystal clear: “Don’t cut my family out of the Farm Bill.”
ASA released an infographic noting that sugar producers see just 2 cents from a $7.99 heart-shaped box of chocolates.
ASA releases final installment in four-part “Sugar Shorts” video series that explains how U.S. sugar policy works.
Sugar has been called the world’s most distorted market. Our third “Sugar Shorts” video explains why.
How has the price of sugar remained so low for so long? The second video in the “Sugar Shorts” series explores the answer.
Amendments designed to gut no-cost U.S. sugar policy were rejected during the 2014 Farm Bill debate, but their backers are dusting them off for another run.
As the holiday season kicks off, Americans will be reaching for a staple in their pantries. From pumpkin pie to cookies for Santa, U.S. households have relied on domestic sugar supplies for generations.
“We commend the White House for filling these important positions with two individuals who will provide strong leadership at a critical time for the U.S. sugar industry.”
Rep. Peterson said drafting should begin in September and that he’d like to complete a Farm Bill this year, before the Senate does.
Three researchers who presented today at the International Sweetener Symposium criticized a controversial Heritage Foundation attack on farm policy.
“It’s important to keep some key ingredients of the farm safety net during this transition period.”
Current sugar policy is a big part of the Farm Bill, and Chairman Conaway applauded the policy for its $0 budget and past success in keeping prices stable.
Leaders from the American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Farmers Union (NFU) today pledged their continued support of U.S. sugar policy.
“Bears remain firmly in the driving seat,” the executive director of the International Sugar Organization said today of the global sugar market.
“A reliable, affordable, homegrown sugar supply is in the public interest, and no-cost sugar policy makes it all possible.”
Despite nearly 5 years of declining prices, makers of candy, cakes, cookies and other sweet treats never lowered prices for grocery shoppers.
Ervin Schlemmer called on Congress to maintain U.S. sugar policy and to make research funding a priority in the news Farm Bill.
“Mr. Doud has a tremendous amount of experience in agricultural and trade policy. He is an advocate for U.S. farmers and ranchers…”
America’s sugar farmers and producers today informed the Department of Commerce (DOC) that they support the agreement to bring Mexico’s subsidized sugar industry into compliance with U.S. trade laws. The pledge was made after DOC tightened the agreement.
“U.S. sugar farmers and producers are concerned that the agreement in principle contains a major loophole in the section dealing with additional U.S. needs…”
“We urge you to continue your strong efforts to utilize the United States’ antidumping and countervailing laws in response to the serious injury Mexico caused to U.S. sugar producers.”
The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) yesterday announced that it would end the antidumping and countervailing duty suspension agreements in place with Mexico and impose duties on Mexican sugar beginning June 5, unless the two countries can reach an accord before then to stop Mexico’s unfair trading practices.
ASA’s Jack Roney testified before the House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management that a strong sugar policy is essential in the current low-price environment.
The president of the American Sugarbeet Growers Association and a fifth-generation Louisiana sugarcane farmer spoke today at Agri-Pulse’s Farm Bill Summit.
The American Sugar Alliance released the following statement about President Trump appointing Ray Starling to the National Economic Council.
As Mexico dumped subsidized sugar onto the U.S. market in recent years and sent sugar prices spiraling downward, consumers paid more for sweetened products and food manufacturers’ revenues grew. That’s according to Jack Roney, an economist with the American Sugar Alliance.
America’s sugar producers would like to congratulate former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue on his nomination to serve as the next Secretary of Agriculture.
“Mr. Lighthizer’s commitment to strong enforcement of U.S. trade agreements and laws make him a perfect choice for USTR.”
From the International Sweetener Symposium:
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho—Grocery shoppers with a sweet tooth are paying more than double what they paid for a candy bar 10 years earlier, even though the sugar in that candy bar is cheaper today than a decade ago. That’s according to an annual survey of sweetened product prices conducted by the American Sugar Alliance (ASA).
From the International Sweetener Symposium: Coeur d’Alene, Idaho—Leaders from the U.S. and European sugar industries today agreed that no new market access commitments for sugar should be included in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP) trade deal between the United States and the European Union (EU). “America’s sugar market is already oversupplied with unneeded…
From the International Sweetener Symposium:
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho—The U.S. Department of Commerce found Mexico’s sugar industry guilty of dumping subsidized sugar onto the U.S. market and harming American producers. But the 2014 settlement forged between the two governments to avoid retaliatory tariffs isn’t working, a United States Senator said today at the International Sweetener Symposium.
From the International Sweetener Symposium:
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho—Calling Tom Vilsack “one of the finest secretaries that agriculture has ever had,” American Sugar Alliance chairman Luther Markwart paid special tribute yesterday to the current leadership at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
“Secretary Vilsack has been very good to our industry and has always been thoughtful,” he explained at the International Sweetener Symposium. “Over the past eight years, his team has implemented two farm bills, worked to build good trade deals for agriculture, and maintained an open-door policy for producers through it all.”
From the International Sweetener Symposium:
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho—Two studies touting the importance of U.S. sugar policy took center stage today when the American Sugar Alliance released a new video about studies by professors at Texas A&M University and the University of Maryland.
From the International Sweetener Symposium:
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho – U.S. sugar prices have fallen while prices on the world market are rapidly rising, taking a key argument away from opponents of U.S. sugar policy who have long complained about not having more access to heavily subsidized foreign supplies.
From the International Sweetener Symposium:
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho — As the 33rd International Sweetener Symposium kicked off this morning, attendees received a warm welcome from Agriculture Committee leaders.
“We don’t have an economy or a middle class, for that matter, if we don’t make things or grow things. And that’s what each of you do,” Sen. Debbie Stabenow (MI), the top Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Committee, said in a video message. “America’s great sugar industry is an essential part of the rural economy and our nation’s agricultural economy.”
Govt. Handouts Total $1.7 Billion a Year and Distort Global Prices From the International Sweetener Symposium: Coeur d’Alene, Idaho — A new report released today at the International Sweetener Symposium details the estimated $1.7 billion in annual subsidies propping up India’s inefficient sugar industry. The study’s author, Antoine Meriot of Sugar Expertise, LLC, spent months…
New Texas A&M Study Details Importance of Current No-Cost Policy FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 17, 2016 CONTACT: Phillip Hayes, 202-507-8303 WASHINGTON – Current legislative proposals to change U.S. sugar policy may be positioned as modest reform, but they would have dire economic consequences on U.S. sugar producers, put U.S. taxpayers on the hook, and leave…
For Immediate Release: April 18, 2016
Contact: Phillip Hayes, 202-507-8303
WASHINGTON – Since the current U.S. sugar policy took hold in 2008, candy companies and producers of other sugar containing products (SCP) have added jobs, increased production, and boosted profitability, according to a new study by the dean of the University of Maryland’s business school.
Dr. Alex Triantis, who prepared the report for the American Sugar Alliance (ASA), wrote: “During 2009-2014 – a period that included a U.S. economic recession and unusually high world and U.S. sugar prices – SCP industry jobs rose by 3 percent while non-sweetened-food industry jobs were flat.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – December 22, 2015 CONTACT: Phillip Hayes, 202-271-5734 (cell) WASHINGTON—The American Sugar Alliance issued the following statement about the results of the 10th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference in Nairobi, Kenya: “We commend our Nairobi negotiating team for their hard work in securing an agreement that will bring a definitive end to…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 10, 2015 CONTACT: Phillip Hayes, 202-271-5734 (cell) WASHINGTON — After reviewing the official text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal the American Sugar Alliance issued the following statement: “We have carefully examined the final language and details of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and are pleased to confirm that America’s trade negotiators delivered…
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 21, 2015 |
CONTACT: Phillip Hayes (202) 271-5734 |
WASHINGTON—During a House Agriculture Committee hearing about foreign agricultural subsidies today, U.S. sugar producers publicly pledged to scrap U.S. sugar policy if other countries would stop manipulating the global sugar market with trade-distorting policies.
“Absent government intervention, the world sugar price would rise to reflect the cost of producing sugar, and America’s efficient producers could compete well on a level playing field,” said Jack Roney, director of economics and policy analysis for the American Sugar Alliance. “We have endorsed a congressional resolution to eliminate U.S. sugar policy when foreign countries eliminate theirs.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 20, 2015
CONTACT: Phillip Hayes, 202-507-8303
WASHINGTON — The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) agreed today by a 6 to 0 vote that Mexico’s sugar industry harmed American producers by dumping subsidized sugar onto the U.S. market.
The verdict means that an accord signed by the U.S. and Mexican governments to establish a needs-based trading structure and stop Mexico’s abuses will remain in effect for at least five years.
WASHINGTON—The American Sugar Alliance issued the following statement about today’s announcement that an agreement was reached on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal: [pullquote] “The American Sugar Alliance still needs to review the final language and verify details in the Trans-Pacific Partnership, but we are cautiously optimistic about what we’ve learned from U.S. trade negotiators. …
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 17, 2015 |
CONTACT: Phillip Hayes 202-271-5734 (cell) |
WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) today ruled that Mexico’s sugar industry unfairly dumped subsidized sugar onto the U.S. market. Mexico’s sugar industry was found to be dumping at margins of 40.48 percent to 42.14 percent and subsidized from 5.78 percent to 43.93 percent. Mexico’s government-owned sugar mills were subsidized at 43.93 percent.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary Michael Scuse today addressed the 32nd International Sweetener Symposium, where he thanked U.S. sugar producers for the manner in which they’ve worked with U.S. officials during the ongoing Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations.
When agricultural opponents targeted U.S. sugar policy during July’s appropriations process, the American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Farmers Union were among the groups that stepped up to defend sugar farmers.
Lawyers representing U.S. sugar producers today released a timeline of key dates in the anti-dumping and countervailing duty cases against Mexico’s sugar industry. Robert Cassidy, a partner with Cassidy Levy Kent, LLP in Washington, D.C., also gave attendees of the 32nd International Sweetener Symposium an update on where the process stands.
Sugar is not grown in New Mexico, but a key member of the state’s congressional delegation reiterated his support of no-cost U.S. sugar policy yesterday at the 32nd International Sugar Symposium.
Luther Markwart, executive vice president of the American Sugarbeet Growers Association, was elected chairman of the American Sugar Alliance (ASA) on Monday. And he wasted little time in jumping to the defense of all U.S. sugar producers.
Consumers are being overwhelmed with information about the food they purchase and eat every day – with sugar in the middle – and it’s fueling confusion and changing the way different generations shop. That’s according to a panel of consumer and scientific experts today at the 32nd International Sweetener Symposium.
A senior U.S. trade official yesterday told American sugar producers that the government will not consider unreasonable sugar market access demands by foreign nations in the ongoing Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations, thus solidifying its commitment to the smooth operation of no-cost U.S. sugar policy.
Candy bar prices jumped another 10 cents this year to an all-time high $1.49, and sugar makes up just 1 percent of the cost, according to information released by the American Sugar Alliance (ASA) today at the 32nd International Sweetener Symposium.
When global sugar prices began tanking more than three years ago, analysts predicted that worldwide production would fall and prices would quickly rebound. But the opposite occurred with prices recently dipping to the lowest point since 2008, and most observers now expect the slide to continue.
Jack Roney, an economist with the American Sugar Alliance, says times are sweet for the candy industry right now. In remarks today at the 32nd International Sweetener Symposium, Roney explained that while jobs in other food manufacturing sectors have declined, employment has risen for companies that produce sugar containing products, or SCPs.
The European Union is in the midst of overhauling its sugar program, and when the transition is complete, sugar producers will receive $665 million a year in subsidy checks. That’s according to a new paper about announced policy reforms by Patrick Chatenay, a sugar policy expert from the UK-based company ProSunergy.
Critics of U.S. sugar policy who claim U.S. sugar prices are excessive got a dose of reality today. Turns out world average retail sugar prices are 20 percent higher than prices in the United States, according to a new study by SIS International.
Despite a collapse of global sugar prices, Thailand has been able to maintain high levels of sugar production thanks to at least $1.3 billion a year in subsidies and other policies – all of which has only exacerbated the glut of sugar currently distorting the world market.
WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) yesterday granted standing to Imperial Sugar Co. and AmCane Sugar LLC in the antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) cases filed last year against Mexico’s sugar industry. The AD/CVD cases had been suspended following an agreement reached between the U.S. and Mexican governments, but will recommence as a result of the latest DOC decision.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 19, 2015
CONTACT: Phillip Hayes, 202-507-8303
WASHINGTON—The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) today upheld the agreements between the U.S. and Mexican governments to stop subsidized Mexican sugar from being dumped onto the U.S. market. The ITC was asked to determine whether the governments’ settlement adequately removed the injury caused by unfairly traded Mexican sugar.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 3, 2015
CONTACT: Phillip Hayes, 202-507-8303
WASHINGTON-Congressman Ted Yoho (R-FL) reintroduced his Zero-for-Zero sugar policy, on Friday, which would instruct the administration to target the foreign sugar subsidies that are distorting world prices and keeping a free market from forming. Under the plan, U.S. sugar policy would also be rolled back in exchange for the elimination of foreign programs.
Members of the American Sugar Alliance (ASA) praised Yoho and the eight original co-sponsors of H.Con.Res. 20, and said sugar farmers from across the country are in town this week to educate lawmakers about the current U.S. policy and to encourage support for the resolution.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 19, 2015
CONTACT: Phillip Hayes, 202-507-8303
WASHINGTON — U.S. sugar producers today unveiled a new resource on the American Sugar Alliance (ASA) website that catalogues increases to foreign sugar subsidies made over the past two years. The site, which provides links to news reports about international subsidy changes, already includes nearly 30 entries.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 9, 2015
CONTACT: Phillip Hayes, 202-507-8303
WASHINGTON—U.S. sugar policy is expected to cost taxpayers $0 from FY2015 to FY2025, according to projections released last week by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Sugar policy is the least expensive major commodity policy in the Farm Bill because farmers repay loans with interest instead of receiving subsidy checks. It ran at no cost to taxpayers from 2003 to 2012 and again in 2014.
There was a net cost of $259 million in 2013 when the USDA had to take emergency action to prevent the market from collapsing after Mexico dumped a record amount of subsidized sugar onto the U.S. market.
The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) today announced that the U.S. and Mexican governments have reached an agreement to suspend the ongoing antidumping and countervailing duty investigations of sugar from Mexico.
American sugar producers today submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Commerce to ensure that the draft agreements reached between the U.S. and Mexican governments to suspend pending trade cases against Mexico’s sugar industry can be effectively enforced.
WASHINGTON (October 28, 2014)—U.S. and Mexican government officials yesterday initialed an accord to suspend the ongoing antidumping and countervailing duty investigations of sugar from Mexico. Phillip Hayes, a spokesman for the American Sugar Alliance, released the following statement about the settlement. “U.S. government officials should be commended for their hard work and diligence in reaching…
The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) today said Mexican sugar subsidies are giving Mexico’s sugar mills an unfair trade advantage. As a result of this preliminary ruling, a duty deposit will be collected on sugar imports from Mexico until the U.S. government can complete its investigation and make a final determination in the case. A 17.01 percent duty deposit will be imposed on sugar imported from mills operated by the Mexican government. Sugar produced by the Mexican company GAM will see a 2.99 percent duty deposit and all other Mexican sugar will be subject to a 14.87 percent duty deposit.
Grocery shoppers in the coming year will be asked to pay more for candy despite the fact that sugar prices have remained relatively flat over the past 30 years, according to an American Sugar Alliance (ASA) report released today at the 31st International Sweetener Symposium.
With the 2014 Farm Bill in the rear view mirror, farmers must remain vigilant in protecting the farm safety net. That was the clear message delivered today by leaders of the two biggest farm organizations at the 31st International Sweetener Symposium.
The idea that there is global free trade in sugar is a “mirage,” according to Patrick Chatenay, a sugar and ethanol expert from the UK-based company ProSunergy, because “subsidies are rampant and unequal.” Further, he said, “Currency fluctuations make a mockery of tariff trade concessions and can damage competitive sugar producers.”
Consumers want fresh, convenient food, along with the ability to leverage digital platforms, according to a panel of experts at the 31st International Sweetener Symposium.
Sugar is the world’s most distorted commodity market and increased government involvement is fueling inefficiency, according to a new video released today by the American Sugar Alliance (ASA).
Lawmakers have voted eight times in the past two years to continue U.S. sugar policy, and according to the American Sugar Alliance’s Jack Roney, that is proof that Congress strongly supports America’s sugar farmers and the 142,000 jobs they underpin.
Attendees of the 31st International Sweetener Symposium were told today that a four-year sugar surplus is weighing on global prices.
Returns have been low for the better part of three decades for sugar industries on both sides of the U.S.-Mexican border, but the two countries have dealt with the challenge far differently. That’s according to a new American Sugar Alliance (ASA) video released today at the 31st International Sweetener Symposium.
U.S. sugar producers have filed new subsidy allegations in their countervailing duty case against Mexico’s sugar industry, including evidence that export subsidies are fueling a flood of Mexican sugar shipments and injuring U.S. sugar farmers and processors.
The damage caused by dumped and subsidized sugar imports from Mexico – including depressed domestic prices, lost revenue to U.S. producers, and approximately $260 million in taxpayer expenses – was detailed in a nearly 200-page government report issued on Monday.
“This action was expected and very much in order considering Mexico’s complicated web of sugar subsidies and the fact that Mexico’s government owns a large chunk of the industry,” said Phillip Hayes.