WASHINGTON, February 6, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today requested that the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) reallocate the unused quantities of the U.S. World Trade Organization (WTO) fiscal 2020 raw sugar import tariff-rate quota (TRQ).
The action is expected to add about 70,000 short tons raw value of raw sugar imports. The increase is needed to ensure an adequate supply of raw sugar in the U.S. market as poor weather and harvesting conditions in Louisiana have reduced the outlook for cane sugar production in the current fiscal year.
USTR will reallocate this TRQ among supplying countries and customs areas. Raw cane sugar under this TRQ must be accompanied by a certificate of quota eligibility.
USDA will closely monitor domestic sugar stocks, consumption, imports and other sugar market variables on an ongoing basis to ensure an adequate supply for the domestic market, avoid forfeitures and prevent or correct market disruptions.