Wow! What a tremendous turnout from sugarbeet country at the 32nd International Sweetener Symposium recently held in New Mexico.
For so many growers, from so many parts of the country, to travel so far and leave their farms for so long speaks volumes to the dedication of our industry leaders and to the important policy topics currently confronting sugar.
Those of you unable to make this year’s event need not fret. We have created a special webpage with highlights at www.sugaralliance.org/symposium/2015-highlights/. There, you will find links to panelists’ presentations, press releases about symposium news and audio files featuring speakers.
Just to summarize some of what we learned during the jam-packed program.
The U.S. Trade Representative’s office (USTR) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are rock solid in support of sugar as we face ongoing Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade negotiations.
Sharon Bomer Lauritsen, USTR’s assistant trade representative for agricultural affairs and commodity policy, told the crowd: “U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Michael Froman, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, and everybody below them are committed to not doing anything in TPP that will undermine the U.S. sugar program.”
Michael Scuse, USDA under secretary, added: “We have had constructive dialogue with our sugar producers on how to handle sugar in the TPP, and I want to commend the industry for working with USTR and USDA in working to bring TPP to a conclusion and getting a deal we all can be happy with.”
Scuse also provided some positive news about prices, which spiraled downward after an influx of subsidized imports in recent years.
“We’ve turned the tide since 2013,” he said. “Sugar prices should be healthier than they were a few years ago, allowing farmers the opportunity to reinvest and further improve their operations.”
Meanwhile, the group was treated to a rousing welcome from a local congressman, who explained why he’s a sugar policy supporter even though sugar is not produced in his district.
“Farming is a way of life in New Mexico. It’s who we are culturally,” Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) said, noting that New Mexican farmers and sugar farmers share a pride in their products and heritages and that all of agriculture should “come together as a family.”
Luján added, “In New Mexico we have specialty crops such as chile and pecans, and we understand the importance of looking after crops that play a significant role in the culture of a community.”
Lots of new data were released at the symposium, too.
Patrick Chatenay, a global sugar policy specialist from London, unveiled a new paper about changes to Europe’s sugar policy.
The European Union is in the midst of overhauling its sugar program, he explained, and when the transition is complete, sugar growers will receive $665 million a year in subsidy checks.
Chatenay said this could further depress global sugar prices, explaining that because “the EU may well return to being a significant net exporter, this support can negatively affect world market prices and other exporting countries.”
European growers will also benefit from continued high tariffs that block sugar from most exporters and restrictions on genetically engineered crops.
“The EU sugar market is not, and will not be, completely open to imports,” he said.
Rounding out the news was new information about the rising cost of candy in America despite sugar price stagnation, job growth in the U.S. confectionary sector and a video featuring Luther Markwart, executive vice president of the American Sugarbeet Growers Association, debunking common misperceptions about sugar.
Again, thanks to all for attending this year’s meeting, and be sure to mark your calendar for the 33rd International Sweetener Symposium, which will be held July 29-Aug. 3 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho