Sugar
Summary
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EU prices $600
are about double world prices $300
(some say three times)
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EU exports 5M
tons/a refined white sugar –varies, 2000/1 was claimed 7M tons
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Total world
market is about 42M tons
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EU prices are
NOT actually CAP subsidies, they are paid by the sugar industry (80%
certain)!
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Mozambique
loses $106M of sales (c.f. $136 M aid)
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In 2001 EU
exported 1M tons to Zambia and Malawi alone –both sugar producers
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According to
ACSTA, EU dumping has lost 16,000 jobs in Swazi sugar industry and 20,000
in ascociated industries.
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Over
the past decade, the South African Sugar Association estimates that the EU
has depressed the world sugar price by 20 to 40 percent, forcing small
farmers like David out of business
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EU sugar
prices cost the UK consumer £500M/a (UK sugar industry report)
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EU sugar
production –(year?) 23M tons, 14M consumed, 6M exported rest stored.
System has A quota for consumption, B for export and C which is not
subsidised for surplus. UK produces 2.4M tons, 1.4M tons is UK sugar Beet the rest
imported cane.
BUT
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EU imports
from poor ACP countries 1.3M raw sugar (often quoted at 1.7M tons
incorrectly.)
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Brazil is now
biggest exporter and has costs lower than say Mozambique.
Patricia
Hewitt, Baroness Symonds have called for reform of Sugar Regime
The
UK Sugar Industry (processors) have called for reform of Sugar Regime!
(They pay the high prices!)
The
EBA (Everything But Arms agreement) will allow sugar in from 2006-20008
free in 2009 potentially benefiting poor countries – (possibly a limit
at 2.7M tons?)
