Recent projections by the USDA show sugar policy will continue to operate at no cost to taxpayers over the next decade-a $1.3 billion savings from estimates made prior to the passage of the 2008 Farm Bill.  But sugar producers warn that future trade policy could unwind taxpayer savings...

The vast majority of sugar marketed in America is sold well below the spot prices commonly reported in the media, a sugar executive said at the recent annual Outlook Forum hosted by the USDA.  But the prices producers are receiving are essential to helping the sugar industry "improve returns over past years, reduce their debt load, re-invest, continue to improve efficiency, and stay in business..."

By Katherine Azzaro

As the new communications director for The Hand That Feeds U.S., a coalition of numerous commodity groups including sugar, I was recently invited to attend the American Sugar Alliance's "Sugar 101" seminar.