USDA Increases Fiscal Year 2017 Specialty Sugar TRQ
Contact: Souleymane Diaby, (202) 720-2916
WASHINGTON, Feb. 24, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced an increase in the fiscal year 2017 specialty sugar tariff-rate quota (TRQ). The increase, of 40,000 metric tons raw value (MTRV), is needed to accommodate the growing domestic demand for organic sugar and other specialty sugars. The sugar will be permitted entry into the United States beginning March 1, 2017.
On May 6, 2016, USDA established the fiscal year 2017 refined sugar TRQ at 162,000 MTRV. Of this quantity, 141,656 MTRV was reserved for the importation of specialty sugars as defined by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. The total fiscal year 2017 specialty sugar TRQ is now 181,656 MTRV.
USDA’s authority to increase the refined sugar TRQ is found in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, Chapter 17, Additional U.S. Note 5(a)(ii).
Because the specialty sugar TRQ is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, USDA releases it in tranches to allow for orderly marketing throughout the year. The two remaining 2017 tranches, both of 30,000 MTRV, will open on April 7 and July 7.
USDA will publish the notice in the Feb. 27, 2017, Federal Register. The notice is viewable at: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/02/27/2017-03826/increase-in-fiscal-year-2017-specialty-sugar-tariff-rate-quota
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