The Impact of the U.S. Sugar Program Redux

John C. Beghin, Amani Elobeid

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

We analyze the various welfare costs, transfers, trade, and employment consequences of the current U.S. sugar program for U.S. consumers, other sugar users, sugar refiners, cane and beet growing and processing industries, other associated agricultural sectors, and world markets. The removal of the sugar program would increase U.S. consumers’ welfare by $2.9 to $3.5 billion each year and generate a modest job creation of 17,000 to 20,000 new jobs in food manufacturing and related industries. Imports of sugar containing products would fall dramatically, especially confectioneries substituting for domestic inputs under the sugar program. Sugar imports would rise substantially to 5–6 million short tons raw sugar equivalent. World sugar price increases would be minor, equivalent to about 1 cent per pound.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1-33
Number of pages33
JournalApplied Economic Perspectives and Policy
Volume37
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2015
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • employment effect
  • sugar containing products
  • sugar program
  • tariff rate quota
  • welfare cost

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Development
  • Economics and Econometrics

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