2023-07509. Domestic Sugar Program-2023 Cane Sugar Marketing Allotments and Cane and Beet Processor Allocations

AGENCY:

Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing this notice to increase the fiscal year 2023 (FY23) overall sugar marketing allotment quantity (OAQ); increase beet and State cane sugar allotments; revise company allocations to sugar beet and sugar cane processors; and reassign beet and cane sugar marketing allocations to raw cane sugar imports already anticipated. These actions apply to all domestic beet and cane sugar marketed for human consumption in the United States from October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Kent Lanclos; telephone, (202) 720–0114; or email, [e-mail]. Individuals who require alternative means for communication should contact the USDA Target Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and text telephone (TTY)) or dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Service (both voice and text telephone users can initiate this call from any telephone).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On September 30, 2022, USDA announced the initial FY23 OAQ, which was established at 10,646,250 short tons, raw value, (STRV) equal to 85 percent of the estimated quantity of sugar for domestic human consumption for the fiscal year of 12,525,000 STRV as forecast in the September 2022 World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report (WASDE). The Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (Pub. L. 75–430) requires that 54.35 percent of the OAQ be distributed among beet processors and 45.65 percent be distributed among the sugarcane States and cane processors.

In the March 2023 WASDE release, USDA increased the FY23 estimate of sugar consumption for food use to 12,600,000 STRV. As a result, USDA is increasing the FY23 OAQ to 10,710,000 STRV. The revised beet sector allotment is 5,820,885 STRV (an increase of 34,648) and the revised cane sector allotment is 4,889,115 STRV (an increase of 29,102). The revised beet and cane sector allotments are distributed to individual processors according to statutory formulas as shown in the table below (see the column labeled “Preliminary Revised Allocation”).

In accordance with section 359e of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1359ee), after evaluating each sugar beet processor's ability to market its full allocation, USDA is transferring FY23 allocations from sugar beet processors with surplus allocation to those with deficit allocation listed in the table below. USDA has also determined that domestic beet sugar supplies are inadequate to fill the FY23 beet sugar marketing allotment.

In accordance with 7 U.S.C. 1359ee(b)(2), USDA is reassigning 250,000 STRV of the deficit to raw cane sugar imports already anticipated, given the absence of any Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) stocks of sugar. In the table below, each sugar beet processor's allocation following these changes is shown in the column labeled “Revised FY23 Allocations” and the amount of change in each processor's allocation in the column labeled “Reassigned Amount.”

In accordance with section 7 U.S.C. 1359ee(b)(1), after evaluating each sugarcane processor's ability to market its full allocation, USDA is transferring FY23 allocations from sugarcane processors with surplus allocation to those with deficit allocation in the table below. USDA has also determined that domestic cane sugar supplies are inadequate to fill the FY23 cane sugar marketing allotment.

In accordance with 7 U.S.C. 1359ee(b)(1), USDA is reassigning 500,000 STRV of the deficit to raw cane sugar imports already anticipated, given the absence of any CCC stocks of sugar. In the table, each sugarcane processor's allocation following these changes is shown in the column labeled “Revised FY23 Allocations” and the amount of change in each processor's allocation in the column labeled “Reassigned Amount.”

FY23 Revised Beet and Cane Allotments and Allocations *

[Short tons, raw value]

Distribution	Initial FY23 allocations	Allocation increase	Preliminary revised allocations	Reassigned amount	Revised FY23 allocations
Beet Sugar	5,786,237	34,648	5,820,885	−250,000	5,570,885
Cane Sugar	4,860,013	29,102	4,889,115	−500,000	4,389,115
Total OAQ	10,646,250	63,750	10,710,000	−750,000	9,960,000
Beet Processors Marketing Allocations:
Amalgamated Sugar	1,238,877	7,418	1,246,296	−52,558	1,193,737
American Crystal Sugar	2,128,113	12,774	2,140,887	−100,973	2,039,915
Michigan Sugar	597,577	3,578	601,155	106,126	707,281
Minn-Dak Farmers Coop	401,848	2,406	404,254	15,500	419,754
So Minn Beet Sugar	780,958	4,676	785,634	−135,040	650,595
Western Sugar	590,415	3,505	593,919	−78,400	515,519
Wyoming Sugar	48,449	290	48,739	−4,655	44,085
Total Beet Sugar	5,786,237	34,648	5,820,885	−250,000	5,570,885
State Cane Sugar Allotments:
Florida	2,612,146	15,642	2,627,788	−475,313	2,152,475
Louisiana	2,020,789	12,101	2,032,889	102,107	2,134,997
Texas	227,078	1,360	228,438	−126,795	101,643
Total Cane Sugar	4,860,013	29,102	4,889,115	−500,000	4,389,115
Cane Processors Marketing Allocation:
Florida:
Florida Crystals	1,075,489	6,440	1,081,929	−309,510	772,420
Growers Coop	469,887	2,814	472,700	−66,443	406,257
U.S. Sugar	1,066,770	6,388	1,073,158	−99,360	973,798
Total Florida	2,612,146	15,642	2,627,788	−475,313	2,152,475
Louisiana:
LA Sugarcane Products	1,402,896	8,401	1,411,296	52,636	1,463,932
M.A. Patout	617,893	3,700	621,593	49,471	671,065
Total Louisiana	2,020,789	12,101	2,032,889	102,107	2,134,997
Texas:
Rio Grande Valley	227,078	1,360	228,438	−126,795	101,643
* Numbers may not sum to row or column totals due to rounding.

These FY23 sugar marketing allotment program actions will not prevent any domestic sugarcane or sugar beet processor from marketing all of its FY23 sugar supply. USDA will closely monitor stocks, consumption, imports, and all sugar market and program variables on an ongoing basis and may make further program adjustments during FY23, if needed.

USDA Non-Discrimination Policy

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family or parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Individuals who require alternative means of communication for program information (for example, braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA TARGET Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and text telephone (TTY)) or dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Service (both voice and text telephone users can initiate this call from any telephone). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD–3027, found online at https://www.usda.gov/​oascr/​how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632–9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by mail to: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250–9410 or email: [e-mail].

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Zach Ducheneaux,

Executive Vice President, Commodity Credit Corporation.