How Does American-Grown Sugar Support the U.S. Food Supply Chain?
Sugar is an extremely versatile ingredient that’s widely used in the foods we enjoy every day. From bread and breakfast cereals to canned fruits, yogurt, ice cream and beverages, thousands of products rely on a steady domestic supply of sugar to reach grocery store shelves.
For nearly 100 years, U.S. Sugar has helped support that supply by growing, harvesting and refining sugarcane right here in the United States. As the nation’s largest fully integrated producer of sugarcane and cane sugar, U.S. Sugar produces up to 850,000 tons of refined sugar annually and accounts for approximately 13% of all refined sugar produced in the United States.
The ability to manage the entire process gives U.S. Sugar an important role in strengthening the U.S. food supply chain and ensuring American-grown sugar is always available for manufacturers across the country.
Where Does Sugar Come From?
In some cases, sugar is imported from other countries and travels through multiple supply chains before reaching food manufacturers. U.S. Sugar operates differently.
Our sugar is grown, harvested, processed and refined through a fully domestic operation that begins in South Florida and extends to food manufacturers nationwide. U.S. Sugar farms approximately 250,000 acres across Palm Beach, Hendry and Glades Counties, where sugarcane is planted, cultivated and harvested throughout the year.
Once harvested, the sugarcane is transported via a private railroad system to the Clewiston facility. This operation was the first U.S. refinery to fully integrate the process from farm and raw mill to finished sugar under one roof, helping improve efficiency and supply chain coordination.
The Clewiston facility processes up to 42,000 tons of sugarcane each day, transforming harvested cane into refined sugar used by food manufacturers throughout the country.
U.S. Sugar also operates the Savannah Sugar Refinery in Georgia, which refined more than 736,000 tons of sugar in 2024. Together, these facilities help expand domestic refining capacity and support a reliable source of American-grown sugar for customers nationwide.
From the field to the refinery to the manufacturing plant, every step relies on American farmland, American infrastructure and American workers.
Why Domestic Sugar Production Makes a Difference
A strong food supply depends on reliable access to key ingredients. As an American sugar manufacturer, U.S. Sugar helps provide a steady supply of refined sugar for the companies that make many of the foods families buy every day.
Domestic sugar production also helps support price stability. When supply chains are disrupted, imported ingredients can become more expensive and less predictable. A strong domestic sugar industry helps reduce those risks and provides greater stability for the U.S. food market.
Supporting American Jobs and Local Economies
According to a Texas A&M economic analysis, U.S. Sugar supports approximately 19,000 jobs across Florida and contributes $4.7 billion annually to the state’s economy. These impacts include direct employment as well as jobs with suppliers, transportation providers, equipment manufacturers and local businesses.
As one of the largest private employers in the Glades region, U.S. Sugar’s operations support communities throughout South Florida while contributing to the broader agricultural economy.
A Long-Term Commitment to Feeding American Families
Over the decades, U.S. Sugar has continued investing in agricultural innovation, workforce development, environmental stewardship and operational efficiency to strengthen its role in the American food system.
While technology and farming practices continue to evolve, the mission remains the same: providing high-quality sugar that supports food manufacturers and feeds families across the country.
Learn more about our continued commitment to producing sugar sustainably, right here in America.