The combination of low sugar prices and high input costs squeezes farm income for beet growers. Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association President Darren Hoyme says growers are also facing high costs for fuel, fertilizer and pesticides. “It makes for a perfect storm that’s not sustainable for our growers.” Hoyme blames imported sugar for the pressure on domestic prices. “We’re getting a flood of sugar from some foreign bad actors into our domestic market and that has depressed our sugar price.” During a roundtable event in Grand Forks, Hoyme encouraged U.S. trade officials to take action, including a Section 301 investigation.
