77% of U.S. Sugar Crops Affected by Drought, USDA Reports
Drought conditions are intensifying across the United States, significantly impacting sugar beet and sugar cane crops. According to the USDA, 77% of both sugar beet and sugar cane crops are now experiencing some level of drought, up from 75% the previous week. This has led to uncertainty in the sugar market, with many sellers withdrawing from both spot and future markets due to concerns over crop yields. The situation is further complicated by the ongoing impacts of the pasture mealy bug in Florida and Louisiana. Despite these challenges, some regions, such as Louisiana, have seen slight improvements in crop conditions, with 59% of sugar cane rated as good to excellent as of August 30, up from 50% the previous week. (Source: CZ App, 2026-09-08 08:00:00 GMT)