WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the American Bakers Association (ABA) urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture to increase sugar imports to address supply concerns shared by the baking industry. “Sugar supplies are at dangerously low levels,” said Robb MacKie, ABA president and CEO. “Bakers continue to face skyrocketing input costs. With recent news of food inflation hitting record highs, now is the time to eliminate politics from the supply of a key baking ingredient.”
“Sugar supplies have been tight for many years now, mainly due to the impact of current U.S. sugar policy,” said Cory Martin, ABA senior manager of government relations. “The sugar program will continue to keep supplies artificially low until the program is fundamentally changed.”
“This is only a short term solution,” added MacKie. “While increasing supplies is imperative, the overall program must be reformed. Congress cannot continue to ignore a program that costs bakers and consumers well over $4 billion dollars each year.”
ABA will continue to work with Congress to reform the current sugar program, with efforts to specifically focused on the next farm bill.
About the American Bakers Association:
The American Bakers Association (ABA) is the Washington D.C.-based voice of the wholesale baking industry. Since 1897, ABA has represented the interests of bakers before the U.S. Congress, federal agencies, and international regulatory authorities. ABA advocates on behalf of more than 700 baking facilities and baking company suppliers. ABA members produce bread, rolls, crackers, bagels, sweet goods, tortillas and many other wholesome, nutritious, baked products for America’s families. The baking industry generates more than $70 billion in economic activity annually and employs close to half a million highly skilled people.
Source: The American Bakers Association
