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U.S. sugarbeet industry not directly impacted by trade disputes

A sugarbeet processor in Minnesota says trade disputes aren’t directly impacting the industry.

Todd Geselius with the Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative tells Brownfield the U.S. is still a net importer of sugar.

“We really can’t supply enough sugar for our needs in the country, so as far as an export situation it really hasn’t impacted the sugar industry to any great extent to my knowledge.”

But, he points out the growers he works with grow crops affected by Chinese tariffs.

“All of our growers are also corn and soybean growers, so it’s certainly impacting other parts of their business.”

Under the current Farm Bill, USDA forecasts U.S. sugar production and decides whether to limit the amount U.S. producers can market.  The Department also allocates market share to more than 40 countries based on U.S. import commitments in trade agreements.