• The USDA has increased its US beet production estimate, even after the drought-hit summer.
  • It’s also lifted its US’ TRQ (Tariff Rate Quota) expectations by more than 400k short tons, reducing Mexico’s access by the same amount.
  • Mexico could therefore export onto the world market next season, provided the US’ beet crop doesn’t disappoint.

The September WASDE

  • Friday’s WASDE saw the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) increase the TRQ (Tariff Rate Quota) for 2021/22 by more than 400k short tons.
  • This is because this season’s delayed sugar imports, caused by late quota announcements and logistical disruption, could hit the US’ opening stocks next season.
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  • The USDA also decreased its Mexican import allowance; the US can now import 1.084m short tons of sugar from Mexico via the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in 2021/22.
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  • Mexico’s sugar supply should remain balanced with this allocation, as its crop outlook looks increasingly optimistic.
  • · If its cane production estimate continues to rise, it may even export sugar onto the world market.
  • · However, if the US beet crop underperforms, Mexico’s access could increase again, as the USDA strives to keep domestic prices stable.

How is the US Beet Crop Looking?

  • Many thought the US beet crop would suffer following this summer’s drought.
  • However, the USDA, having reduced its production estimate two months ago, now believes the US beet crop will perform fractionally better than it did in 2020/21 (5.06mmt vs. 5.08mmt).
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  • The US beet harvest is now underway, so we’ll keep an eye on early yield data.
  • We suspect there’s scope for downward revisions across the next few months, however.
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Vincent O’Rourke

Vincent began his career at CZ in 2016 as an analyst in the London Office, focusing on raw sugar flows and the Refineries in North Africa and the Middle East. Since 2019 Vincent has moved to the Miami office, leading the Americas analysis (excluding Brazil) and implementing the new data capture and database processes. Vincent graduated from Edinburgh with a master’s in theology in 2015 and completed a Masters in Emerging Economies from King’s London University in 2016

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