European Union Sugar Policy

The European Union Sugar Policy aims to support local sugar farmers and ensure stable prices by regulating production and imports. It historically involved tariffs on foreign sugar, subsidies to farmers, and limits on how much sugar could be produced. These measures helped stabilize the sugar market within the EU but also led to higher prices for consumers. Since 2017, reforms have gradually reduced some protections, encouraging competition and aligning with world trade rules while still supporting farmers. Overall, the policy balances maintaining a sustainable sugar industry in the EU with broader market openness.