The International Confederation of European Beet Growers (CIBE) said, in a statement issued on 14 June, that it is concerned about the “too prolonged inaction of the EU Commission and of the Member States” in response to the fall in sugar prices.
It deplores the absence of measures despite the fact that, for the past two years, the sugar sector has been suffering from severe turmoil.
CIBE regrets that this inaction should persist, according to the conclusions of the 'High Level Group' on sugar. “The draft report discussed on 12 June reflects a comprehensive analysis but again Member States expressed different views, did not consider any short-term concrete measures and envisaged few general recommendations”, European beet growers regret. They point out that, despite the highest production standard and quality of their beet, its value in the EU is the lowest in the world. Since the end of sugar production quotas 2 years ago, “more than 2 billion euros have been passed from growers and manufacturers to the sugar users”, notes CIBE.
Prices have reached record low levels in the EU, hitting growers’ income severely by at least 30% since October 2017. In addition, dumping on the world market by third countries has increased. Brexit and possible additional market concession to be granted to Brazil in the EU-Mercosur negotiations also worry the CIBE. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)