LAPLACE – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it fully intends to take appropriate actions to ensure an adequate supply of sugar to the U.S. market.

In recent weeks, prospects for U.S. sugar production have declined significantly due to adverse weather in both sugar beet and sugarcane regions. Tropical Storm Olga threatened the sugar cane crops last month in St. John Parish.

The World Agricultural Supply & Demand Estimates Report, the nationwide U.S. sugar production projection declined by 572,000 short tons raw value from the previous month, while ongoing weather concerns threaten further reductions.

USDA intends to make an announcement between Nov. 18 and Dec. 10 as to quantity, type and source of additional sugar needed to ensure an adequate supply for the domestic market, avoid forfeitures and prevent or correct market disruptions.