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Article
The Impact of the U.S. Sugar Program Redux
Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy
  • John Beghin, Iowa State University
  • Amani Elobeid, Iowa State University
Document Type
Article
Publication Version
Submitted Manuscript
Publication Date
1-1-2015
DOI
10.1093/aepp/ppu028
Abstract

We analyze the various welfare costs, transfers, trade, and employment consequences of the current U.S. sugar program for U.S. consumers, other sugar users, sugar refiners, cane and beet growing and processing industries, other associated agricultural sectors, and world markets. The removal of the sugar program would increase U.S. consumers' welfare by $2.9 to $3.5 billion each year and generate a modest job creation of 17,000 to 20,000 new jobs in food manufacturing and related industries. Imports of sugar containing products would fall dramatically, especially confectioneries substituting for domestic inputs under the sugar program. Sugar imports would rise substantially to 5–6 million short tons raw sugar equivalent. World sugar price increases would be minor, equivalent to about 1 cent per pound.

Comments

This working paper was published as Beghin, John C. and Amani Elobeid, "The Impact of the U.S. Sugar Program Redux," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy 37 (2014): 1–33, doi:10.1093/aepp/ppu028.

Citation Information
John Beghin and Amani Elobeid. "The Impact of the U.S. Sugar Program Redux" Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy Vol. 37 Iss. 1 (2015) p. 1 - 33
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/john-beghin/122/