The National Confectioners Association (NCA) and the Association of Chocolate, Biscuit and Confectionery Industries of Europe (CAOBISCO) released a joint statement calling for governments of both the United States and Europe to take urgent action to address sugar shortages.

Tight supply and supply chain obstacles have pushed prices to unprecedented and unsustainable levels: “We are urging the US and The EU Commission and Member States to relax tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) to allow for additional and faster importation of quality white sugar. Where possible, we encourage collaboration and cooperation to facilitate access to additional imported sugar supplies. There are several tools available to both the American and European authorities. Inaction could result in factory slowdowns and stoppages in a time of global economic uncertainty. This uncertainty places a burden on the market and the consumer, especially when we look to deliver products in a timely manner. Currently, demand far exceeds supply, and this has a ripple effect throughout the whole supply chain.”

Obstacles include import restrictions and high import tariffs.

This summer has seen a dangerously low sugar supply in Europe and the US, the associations underline, in which supply chain shortages played a role, as well as the decrease in beat planting, adverse weather, and the war in Ukraine.

Photo: Skyler Ewing (Pexels)