Learn some facts about the American sugar industry.
America’s sugar producers support 151,000 U.S. jobs.
Sugar producers generate nearly $23 billion a year for the U.S. economy.
Sugar policy is predicted to cost taxpayers $0 in 2024. And hasn’t cost taxpayers a dime for 20 out of the last 21 years.
Sugar farmers don’t receive government subsidy checks. Instead The Farm Bill Authorizes loans to producers which allow producers to store inventory until it is needed, the loans are paid back WITH INTEREST every year.
Sugar from Beets and from Cane is identical.
Sugar is produced in 16 states.
U.S. Growers are producing 14% more sugar on 8% less land than 20 years ago and have increased yields by over 23% while using less water, less energy, and fewer chemicals.
Food manufacturers pocket lower sugar prices to boost profits instead of sharing the savings with shoppers.
Seven out of ten of Americans prefer buying homegrown sugar, even if foreign sugar is cheaper.
100% of sugarbeet companies are owned by farmers.
Dependence on foreign sugar in WWII forced the government to ration sugar.
One-sided trade deals force the U.S. to import sugar from 41 countries regardless of our needs.
The world sugar market is a thinly traded, heavily subsidized dump market and is the world’s most volatile commodity market.
America is the world’s third largest sugar importer.
NAFTA made Mexico the only sugar producer-domestic or foreign-with unlimited access to the U.S. market.
55-60% of America’s sugar production comes from beets, the rest from cane.
Sugar producers’ labor costs are up 110% since 1985; farm equipment costs 75% more.
Sugar prices in Mexico have historically been higher than U.S. prices.
Sugar, as an essential ingredient in our nation’s food supply, must have a strong policy that reinforces the sugar supply chain and ensures that Americans are not solely dependent on unstable foreign suppliers.
