SUA Welcomes Sugar Quota Reallocation by USTR; Calls on USDA to Act

USDA Action Needed to Ensure an Adequate Sugar Supply for U.S. Food and Beverage Manufacturers 

Washington, D.C. (June 24, 2019) – The Sweetener Users Association (SUA) today issued the following statement in response to the news that the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has reallocated the U.S. raw sugar tariff-rate quota (TRQ) for fiscal year (FY) 2019:  

We are grateful that USTR has responded to SUA’s call to reallocate the FY 2019 TRQ as a first step to help ensure sugar supply adequacy in the U.S. market. 

We strongly encourage USDA to take further action, by increasing Mexico’s access to the U.S. sugar market or increasing the World Trade Organization (WTO) TRQ, or both. These steps are needed to bring projected supplies within USDA’s traditional target ranges.

U.S. food and beverage manufacturers of all sizes – and the Americans they employ – rely on an adequate supply of sugar at reasonable prices to stay competitive while making and selling the products U.S. consumers love. 

We again thank the Administration for this TRQ reallocation and urge further action without delay.

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The Sweetener Users Association (SUA) represents American food and beverage manufacturers who use sugar to make the products U.S. consumers know and love — from sweet treats to everyday staples like bread, pasta sauce, yogurt and peanut butter. SUA members employ hundreds of thousands of Americans across the United States — from bakers and confectioners to food scientists and factory workers.

Connect with us at SweetenerUsers.org or follow us on Twitter @SweetenerUsers.

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