Sweet Facts

♥  Sugar creates more than 151,000 U.S. jobs in more than two dozen states and adds $23.3 billion to the U.S. economy.

♥  In January, the American Farm Bureau Federation reaffirmed its support of no-cost sugar policy in its 2024 policy resolutions.  Read more here.

♥  In a single chocolate bar, sugar accounts for only 2% of the cost.

Op-Ed Published in Real Clear Markets

Don’t Go Breaking (Candy) Hearts: Candy Companies Push False “Sugar Shortage” Story at the Expense of Hardworking American Farmers

This Valentine’s Day, hardworking American farmers Neil Rockstad and Brad Lundy are setting the record straight on the false and harmful narrative that there is a ‘sugar shortage.’ Neil is a fourth-generation sugarbeet farmer, he farms with this family in Ada, Minnesota. Brad is a fourth-generation sugarcane farmer, he farms with his family in Moore Haven, Florida.

Read their full op-ed in Real Clear Markets to get the real facts on sugar, excerpts below:

As two of the more than 11,000 American sugarbeet and sugarcane farmers, we want to set the record straight: There is no sugar shortage. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), American sugar producers are setting the stage for a record-breaking 2023-2024 crop at almost 9.4 million tons of sugar.

Here are the indisputable facts from the experts about the current availability of sugar in the United States, as well as domestic sugar production data:

• The latest USDA crop report shows that there is a plentiful supply of sugar in the U.S. for 2024. On average, USDA reports a surplus of over 3.5 billion pounds.
• The strong 2023 U.S. sugarbeet harvest last fall sets the stage for beet sugar production to exceed 5.33 million tons– a new record.
• Florida sugarcane farmers are currently harvesting an abundant crop due to overall favorable weather conditions and continued investments in technology and sustainable agriculture.
• Louisiana is expected to produce 1.9 million tons despite earlier drought issues.
• We haven’t seen shortfalls in sugar supply in America. The United States is the 5th largest producer of sugar in the world.
• Our geographic diversity in America – and our ability to import sugar if needed – help to keep an ample sugar supply in America. We provide just-in-time delivery to our customers – which is made possible by our 90 processing and distribution facilities in 28 states and our over 70 trading partners.

American sugarbeet and sugarcane farmers sustainably, safely, and consistently produce sugar here at home, so we don’t have to depend on foreign countries for our sugar supply. We have spent decades investing in our farms –it’s our livelihood and our legacy. We produce 14% more sugar on 8% less land than 20 years ago and increased yield per acre by 23% while using less water, less energy, and fewer agricultural inputs.

Our industry supports more than 151,000 jobs around the country in more than two dozen states, and we provide more than $23 billion each year in economic activity.

We want our customers to succeed because we need each other. But when confectioners and opponents falsely cry ‘sugar shortage’ to raise prices and push policy objections in Washington, it is dishonest to American consumers and insulting to hardworking American farmers and factory workers.

Instead of spreading fear and falsehoods this Valentine’s Day, let’s enjoy the sweet treats brought to you by American farmers, factory workers, and confectioners.