USDA Increases Fiscal Year 2016 Specialty Sugar TRQ; Establishes Fiscal Year 2017 Raw Cane, Refined Sugar TRQs

Contact: Souleymane Diaby, (202) 720-2916

WASHINGTON, May 5, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced an increase to the fiscal year 2016 tariff-rate quota (TRQ) for specialty sugar and the establishment of the fiscal year 2017 TRQs for raw cane and refined sugar.

USDA increased the fiscal year 2016 specialty sugar TRQ by 22,046 short tons raw value (STRV), equivalent to 20,000 metric tons raw value (MTRV*).  The increase is needed to accommodate increased U.S. demand for organic sugar and other specialty sugars. This sugar will be permitted entry into the United States beginning May 9, 2016.

USDA is establishing the fiscal year 2017 TRQ for raw cane sugar at 1,231,497 STRV (1,117,195 MTRV), the minimum to which the United States is committed under the World Trade Organization Uruguay Round Agreement on Agriculture. Pursuant to Additional U.S. Note 5 to Chapter 17 of the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule and Section 359k of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938, as amended, USDA published this decision in the Federal Register. Raw cane sugar under this TRQ must be accompanied by a certificate of quota eligibility and may enter the United States until Sept. 30, 2017. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative will allocate this TRQ among supplying countries and customs areas.

USDA is also establishing the fiscal year 2017 refined sugar TRQ at 178,575 STRV (162,000 MTRV). Of this quantity, 156,149 STRV (141,656 MTRV) is reserved for the importation of specialty sugars as defined by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. The total refined sugar TRQ includes the 24,251 STRV (22,000 MTRV) minimum to which the United States is committed under Uruguay Round Agreement on Agriculture, of which 1,825 STRV (1,656 MTRV) is reserved for specialty sugar.

Because the specialty sugar TRQ is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, USDA will release it in tranches to allow for orderly marketing throughout the year. The fiscal year 2017 specialty sugar TRQ will be opened in five tranches.

• The first tranche, totaling 1,825 STRV (1,656 MTRV), will open Oct. 3, 2016. All specialty sugars are eligible for entry under this tranche.

The second, third, fourth and fifth tranches will be reserved for organic sugar and other specialty sugars not currently produced commercially in the United States or reasonably available from domestic sources.

• The second and third tranches, each of 44,092 STRV (40,000 MTRV) will open on Oct. 26, 2016, and Jan. 6, 2017, respectively 

• The fourth and fifth tranches, both of 33,069 STRV (30,000 MTRV), will open on April 7, 2017, and July 7, 2017, respectively. 

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative will allocate the refined sugar TRQ, other than the amount reserved for specialty sugar, among supplying countries and customs areas.

* Conversion factor: 1 metric ton = 1.10231125 short tons.

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