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Significant Decrease in U.S. Sugar Cane Price to $663 per Ton

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Significant Decrease in U.S. Sugar Cane Price to $663 per Ton

U.S. Sugar Cane Import Price in August 2023

In August 2023, the sugar cane price stood at $663 per ton (CIF, US), reducing by -19.4% against the previous month. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a perceptible slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in December 2022 when the average import price increased by 119% m-o-m. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $1,365 per ton. From January 2023 to August 2023, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In August 2023, the country with the highest price was Mexico ($2,173 per ton), while the price for Vietnam totaled $702 per ton.

From August 2022 to August 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mexico (+16.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

U.S. Sugar Cane Imports

For the third month in a row, the United States recorded growth in purchases abroad of sugar cane, which increased by 25% to 615 tons in August 2023. Over the period under review, imports showed a prominent increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in September 2022 with an increase of 323% month-to-month.

In value terms, sugar cane imports totaled $408K (IndexBox estimates) in August 2023. In general, imports continue to indicate buoyant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in March 2023 when imports increased by 347% m-o-m.

U.S. Sugar Cane Imports by Country

In August 2023, Vietnam (381 tons) constituted the largest supplier of sugar cane to the United States, accounting for a 62% share of total imports. Moreover, sugar cane imports from Vietnam exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Brazil (131 tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Thailand (84 tons), with a 14% share.

From August 2022 to August 2023, the average monthly growth rate of volume from Vietnam amounted to +12.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average monthly rates of imports growth: Brazil (+34.6% per month) and Thailand (+18.5% per month).

In value terms, Vietnam ($268K) constituted the largest supplier of sugar cane to the United States, comprising 66% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Brazil ($106K), with a 26% share of total imports. It was followed by Thailand, with a 4.7% share.

From August 2022 to August 2023, the average monthly rate of growth in terms of value from Vietnam totaled +11.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average monthly rates of imports growth: Brazil (+38.7% per month) and Thailand (-2.8% per month).

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform 

US Sugar Groups Oppose Mexico Trade Deal

Los Angeles, CA – Several national industry groups representing candy makers, soda companies, and other food manufacturers are urging Washington to reject pressure to negotiate a trade deal with Mexico to end a months-long dispute over allegations of cheap sweetener imports from south of the border.

In a recent letter to several top US trade officials, several national business groups including the Coalition for Sugar Reform, the American Beverage Association, and the Grocery Manufacturers Association said any move to restrict imports “could incite retaliation from Mexico on other products, undermine free trade across the continent under the North American Free Trade Act, and threaten over $220 billion in US exports to Mexico.”

Such a move by Washington, the letter said, would “jeopardize this robust trading relationship [with Mexico] by providing US sugar producers with even more insulation from market forces.”

The joint letter, addressed to US Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack, Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker and US Trade Representative Michael Froman, cited “troubling rumors” that pressure is being applied on the government to hammer out a deal that would include trade barriers.

The communication is seen as the latest indication of escalating tensions in the US sugar industry between sugar producers that favor restricting imports or implementing dumping duties and end-users who oppose any change to NAFTA that allows Mexico to import sugar duty-free in the otherwise protected American market.

US sugar producers filed a complaint with the International Trade Commission earlier this year charging Mexico with dumping sugar on the US market. Two months later, Vilsack said he would “encourage a negotiated agreement” that “could set a ceiling on Mexican sugar imports, which are currently unrestricted.”

The letter also said an agreement could threaten the completion of negotiations of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the ambitious Pacific trade pact.

07/28/2014