Benefits of Current Policy

There are many benefits to consumers and taxpayers that result from a strong sugar industry. Even if you are not from a sugarbeet growing area or state, you benefit from a sound sugar policy.


American Economy Benefits From U.S. Sugar Policy

  • A strategically important industry for an essential ingredient.
  • Responds to foreign predatory trade practices.
  • Adds $23.3 billion annually to the U.S. economy and employs 151,000 people.
  • Reliable supplies and stable sugar prices for consumers.

Taxpayers Benefit From U.S. Sugar Policy

  • Operates as a loan program and involves NO subsidies.
  • No cost to taxpayers.

Consumers Benefit From U.S. Sugar Policy

  • Provides affordable and reliable supplies.
  • Provides an essential high-quality food ingredient at stable, and competitive prices.
  • U.S. retail sugar prices are 22% below developed-country average.

American Workers Benefit From U.S. Sugar Policy

  • Creates direct and indirect jobs in 42 states.

Important Sugar Facts

  • The American sweetener industry has a positive annual impact of $23.3 billion on the U.S. economy, and adds direct and indirect jobs in 42 states.
  • Slightly more than half of U.S. sugar production comes from sugarbeets, which are grown in 11 states; the rest comes from sugarcane, grown in three states.
  • The U.S. is the world’s fifth largest sugar producer, trailing only Brazil, India, and China. Brazil, the world’s largest producer, has benefited from decades of cane ethanol subsidies.
  • The U.S. produces about 70 to 75 percent of the sugar it consumes, providing market access to 41 foreign countries for the remainder of our needs, making the U.S. the world’s third largest importer of sugar.