The 'High Level Group' on the sugar sector will hold its first meeting on 29 January, Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan stated, in his answer dated 9 January, to a written question from a MEP.
The mandate of these Member State experts will be to "exchange ideas on the situation of the EU market and assess possible solutions and options" to solve the problems identified, adds the Commissioner for Agriculture.
Recent developments such as "the reduction in EU sugar production for 2018/2019 and a lower world production surplus" should "help to ease market pressure", according to Phil Hogan, who therefore reiterates that the activation of private storage aid "is not appropriate".
The Commission is "well aware" of the difficult situation in the European sugar sector. This is due, according to Mr. Hogan's services, to a declining world market and a record 21.1 million tonnes produced in the EU in 2017/2018, while EU exports more than doubled and imports fell by half compared to the previous year. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)