09/13/05 Amalgamated can sell more stored sugar

Amalgamated Sugar Company will be able to get rid of one third of its 200 thousand tons of stored refined sugar. USDA has increased sugar sales in the wake of Hurricane Katrina allowing Amalgamated to sell nearly 66 thousand tons of sugar for this fiscal year. That sugar had been blocked from the market under the US program which restricts sales. Jack Roney of the American Sugar Alliance in Arlington, Virginia, says refined sugar beet prices have rebounded and are nearing 27 to 28 cents per pound. RONEY "Refined beet sugar prices last year were running quite low around twenty four cents per pound of refined sugar. And that caused some growers, including some growers in the Northwest US to forfeit their sugar loans to the government rather than replay them with interest which is what usually happens. The US government is also allowing imported sugar to come into this country before the next fiscal year begins on October first. RONEY "So during the month of September they'll let some of that sugar that otherwise couldn't come in until next year, they'll let that in." Idaho sugar beet growers will soon be harvesting this year's crop and processing will take place in Nampa, Paul and Twin Falls. In Louisiana where cane sugar comprises over 40 percent of the state's ag income, one processing plant is flooded; the other is open but having difficulty shipping the sugar. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott