Brussels, 27/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - The member states agree with the European Commission's analysis that no intervention is necessary on the sugar market at present. However, the European Commission was originally considering measures to improve supplies to the sugar market (quota-free sugar and imports of sugar), these measures were called for by the sugar-using businesses, but have come under fire from farmers (see EUROPE 11032).
The member states met on Thursday 27 March in the Committee for the Common Organisation of the Agricultural Markets to carry out an assessment with the European Commission of the situation and the sugar market. The experts of the countries of the EU supported the conclusions of the Commission that “no market measures are needed at present”, the Commission writes in a press release.
The latest figures submitted by the member states “indeed” indicate that stocks are at a high level and have increased since last year, reaching 12.2 million tonnes in December 2013, compared to 10.9 million tonnes in December 2012. Another important factor is the significant increase in duty-free and quota-free sugar imports from the ACP countries (+19% compared to the same time last year). The Commission will continue to monitor the market closely. (LC)