Impact on U.S. Economy
- Consumers
Consumers in other developed countries pay, on average, 11% more for sugar than American consumers.
- Jobs
Over 142,000 jobs in 22 states rely on a strong U.S. sugar industry.
- Economic impact
Nearly $20 billion of economic activity is generated in the U.S. each year by the sugar cane industry and the sugar beet industry.
- Beet sugar industry
More than 1,100,000 acres of sugarbeets are grown in 11 states and are processed in 25 sugarbeet factories. The U.S. sugar industry creates 99,000 full time direct and indirect jobs for people across the nation.
- Cane sugar industry
Eight sugar cane refineries and 22 sugar mills process sugar cane raised in four states: Florida, Hawaii, Lousiana and Texas. Sugar cane production, sugar cane processing and sugar cane refining creates 43,000 full time direct and indirect jobs.
- Saves taxpayer dollars
U.S. sugar producers do not receive government subsidy checks. In fact, U.S. sugar policy cost taxpayers $0 in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. USDA forecast it will continue to operate at no cost to taxpayers again in 2013.
- Fair trade
Current U.S. sugar policy allows efficient U.S. sugar beet, and sugar cane growers and processors to compete against unfair foreign sugar subsidies and sugar trade practices. The program provides for reliable supplies of sugar at fair and stable prices for consumers and operates at minimal cost to the taxpayer.
|
|
|
