Sugar Leaders Meeting In Colorado This Week

Leaders from the U.S. sugar industry are meeting in Colorado this week for the 37th annual International Sweetener Symposium.  The Symposium is an annual event hosted by the American Sugar Alliance.

“We know that rising input costs and inflation are top of mind for our growers right now," said Dr. Rob Johansson, Director of Economics and Policy Analysis for the American Sugar Alliance.  "High prices for fertilizer, fuel, pesticides, labor, and transportation have hit our producers in the field and at the factories they own. Our farmers are worried about their bottom line as we head into harvest.”

Johansson added the Farm Bill is key to providing stability to sugar producers.

“U.S. sugar policy enables our farmers to more effectively compete against imported, heavily subsidized foreign sugar. And it costs taxpayers nothing. Maintaining a strong safety net in the next Farm Bill is going to be critical to our farm economy and our national food security. Our family farmers are resilient, but they need sound federal farm policies to survive.”

Johansson pointed out in addition to producing a key ingredient in our food supply, America’s sugar industry also provides a boost to the American economy.  Citing a new study from Texas A&M University, Johansson said the U.S. sugar industry supports more than 151,000 jobs and contributes more than $23 billion to the economy each year.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com