Sugar Growers Push Back on Falling Prices

Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association President Darren Hoyme says this year’s Washington, D.C. fly-in had a more urgent tone. “We’ve built a strong domestic industry that gives the consumers of America a reliable supply of sugar, but it’s being threatened now,” said Hoyme. “We’ve had our price of sugar drop over a third in the past couple of years.” Falling sugar prices combined with rising input costs on both the farm and factory side have created a perfect storm. While growers appreciate recent bridge payments, a broader fix is needed. “We’ve got some foreign subsidized sugar bleeding into our market that’s well over and above the previous quota and trade agreements that we have in place.” Beet growers from North Dakota, Minnesota, Idaho, Wyoming and Michigan, along with cane producers from Louisiana and Florida, are meeting with hundreds of House and Senate offices over a three-week.