Specialty sugar
The fiscal 2017 specialty sugar T.R.Q. was raised by 40,000 tonnes, raw value.

DANA POINT, CALIF. β€” The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Feb. 24 announced that it raised the fiscal 2017 (2016-17 marketing year) specialty sugar tariff-rate quota (T.R.Q.) to meet demand for organic and other specialty sugars.

The fiscal 2017 specialty sugar T.R.Q. was raised by 40,000 tonnes, raw value, β€œto accommodate the growing domestic demand for organic sugar and other specialty sugars,” the U.S.D.A. said.

Participants attending the International Sweetener Colloquium in Dana Point on Feb. 27 said they did not see the T.R.Q. increase as having an impact on the overall market because it was for specialty sugar and because of the small volume involved.

The additional sugar may enter the United States beginning March 1. The 2016-17 marketing year ends Sept. 30. The specialty sugar T.R.Q. is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, with the two remaining 2017 tranches open April 7 and July 7.

On May 6, 2016, the U.S.D.A. set the fiscal 2017 refined sugar T.R.Q. at 162,000 tonnes, raw value, which included 141,656 tonnes reserved for specialty sugar imports as defined by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. With the latest addition, the fiscal 2017 specialty sugar T.R.Q. is 181,656 tonnes.