Bid to cut EU sugar price opposed

The world market price for white sugar no longer covers the costs of even the most competitive producers, say European farmers.

Pekka Pesonen, Secretary-General of Copa-Cogeca, which represents farmers and farm co-ops, was warning against European Commission moves to authorise import tenders and release out-of-quota white sugar onto the EU market to help bring down EU prices.

He said, “EU sugar prices have been falling on average continuously since January 2013, down €100 per tonne.