Brussels, 25/04/2014 (Agence Europe) - The figures announced by the European Commission on Thursday 24 April have seen the estimated production of sugar during the growing year 2013-2014 increase to 16.77 million tonnes (compared to 16.5 million in the data published in January of this year). This is mainly due to the update of production in the United Kingdom (1.3 million tonnes). In 2012-2013, sugar production stood at 17.36 million tonnes.
This will have no effect on EU production under quotas, but will be reflected in an increase of so-called “out-of-quota” production. The result will be that, by the end of the year, there is likely to be a greater quantity of out-of-quota sugar (than previously anticipated), to be carried over to the next marketing year.
The figures for stocks from Croatia have also been added, which means that the stocks are somewhat higher compared to the previous balance from January.
Overall import estimates remain unchanged (3.84 million tonnes). However, the figures show that it appears likely that imports from the ACP countries will be slightly higher than previously forecast, but imports from Brazil might be somewhat lower. (LC)