Document Type

Article

Abstract

This Article will briefly examine the history of the international sugar trade and discuss the current status of the sugar industry in world markets, specifically in Brazil, India, and the United States. The international sugar trade industry should consider instituting sustainable development practices not only for the public good, but also to enhance its bottom line. As "one of the most highly distorted agricultural commodity markets," the international sugar market is an ideal environment to implement sustainable development practices and begin change with respect to CSR through "guaranteed minimum payments to producers, production and marketing controls (quotas), state-regulated retail prices, tariffs, import quotas and export subsidies."' The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports that "[a]lthough current world sugar prices have largely retreated from the 25-year highs reached in February 2006, the market remains particularly susceptible to large demand swings and price volatility." Generally, as traditional sugar producing countries have increased production, mostly due to domestic subsidies, international sugar prices have decreased.

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