Sugar Producer

20 SUGAR PRODUCER | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 America's sugar farming families and workers support more than 151,000 jobs across more than two dozen states and contribute more than $23 billion to the economy each year, according to a recent study from the Agricultural and Food Policy Center (AFPC) at Texas A&M University. We know that sugar is a fundamental building block of the food we eat, and sugar production provides good paying jobs and local support that make it the backbone of many communities Economic Powerhouse America's Sweetest Industry supports 151,000 jobs; $23 billion economic impact FROM THE ASA By Rob Johansson, Director of Economics and Policy Analysis The sugar industry is really continuing to sustain a way of life for communities in America, and the world. throughout the United States. This report helps us link the production and sales of sugar in the United States to the upstream and downstream jobs and rural communities supported by sugar production starting at the farm-level. Among The Report's Findings • Sugar production in America has an annual economic impact of $23.3 billion. • The sugar industry supports 151,238 direct and indirect jobs, an increase since a 2009 analysis. • Wages and benefits associated with these jobs total $5.7 billion annually, an increase of 37 percent from the 2009 report. • Efficiency gains have increased production by 13 percent. This study highlights America's sweetest industry, underscoring the critical importance of maintaining domestic sugar production by supporting strong farm and trade policies. Its findings on the economic impact of America's sugar farmers and workers will be among the topics discussed at the American Sugar Alliance's 37th International Sweetener Symposium, where the theme will be "Made in America: Food Security, Sustainability, and the Farm Bill." Every five years, Congress considers a new Farm Bill, setting the course for our nation's agricultural and food policies, including U.S. sugar policy. As Congress considers sugar policy, they should also consider the entirety of sugar's impact on our food supply and our nation's economy. At ASA, we know that the real impact of sugar production in America lies not in statistics, but in the family farms, jobs and businesses supported by sugar in our local communities and beyond. As part of their study, the team at AFPC also documented some of these ground-level impacts of the sugar industry. Such as in the small town of Parma, Idaho, where Parma Company, a manufacturer of specialized sugarbeet harvesting equipment, is headquartered. "For many people here, it is their life. The sugar industry is really continuing to sustain a way of life for communities in America, and the world," Roger Blaylock, General Manager, told the researchers. A similar story can be told about many of the small towns and urban centers across America where the sugar industry has a footprint. The opportunities and well-paying jobs provided by the sugar industry help drive these economies. This is a testimony to the stability and certainty provided by U.S. sugar policy – without costing taxpayers a cent. However, rising input costs on our farms and in our factories are squeezing production margins, making it more difficult to invest in needed capital improvements and farm equipment. Without a strong safety net, many of our family farmers will be put at risk. They count on sound federal farm policies to ensure that America isn't left dependent on unreliable foreign producers for a critical food ingredient. Legislative proposals that jeopardize the ability of our sugarcane and sugarbeet family farmers or our workers to survive would also put at risk the thousands of families that rely on a strong sugar industry and our affordable and sustainable supply of Made-in-America sugar. Farm policies must continue to reflect the integral role that farmers play in securing our food supply and ultimately, the role they play in our national security. n

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