Sugar and confectionery trade groups commend Farm Bill progress to reinforce supply chains
In a joint statement from the Alliance for Fair Sugar Policy (AFSP) and National Confectioners Association, the trade groups commended House Agriculture Chairman Glenn Thompson (R-Pa) and Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) for “advancing bipartisan reforms to the U.S. sugar program.”
These provisions will enable a more resilient sugar supply chain by boosting domestic production that would benefit growers, while simultaneously reducing prices for manufacturers and the end consumer.
The groups continued, “If enacted, these provisions would support American sugar production, empower USDA to nimbly respond to changing market conditions and address persistent sugar supply imbalances that push up food prices for families across the country. AFSP applauds Chairman Thompson’s commitment to strengthening and modernizing America’s farm and food economy, and we stand ready to work with leaders in Congress to ensure that these provisions become law.”
Colvin explained that despite the divisiveness between stakeholders in previous Farm Bills, the current trade proposal brings “everyone together” by addressing “the supply challenges we are seeing in the market and that includes boosting domestic production” and import policies that support American manufacturers, and preventing food price hikes for consumers.
“Having a sugar policy that does not operate as intended and is not supplying adequate sugar to the market and is not operating efficiently, that has upward pressure on prices,” he said.
The “big fights over sugar” have been an ongoing debate between suppliers and manufacturers and finding a balance between the farm and food economy has “been very difficult to achieve,” he said.
Coupled with recent sugar shortages that are raising prices, bipartisan recognition for targeted reforms surrounding sugar supply is a significant step forward, Colvin said.
“By moving to improve the domestic production situation and increase supply on that front, by making sure that sugar is able to come into the country at the volumes we expect and efficiently, having more abundance in the market can only mean good things for price,” Colvin said.
