High sugar prices may threaten small candy makers in the U.S.

Dive Summary:

According to the Kimmie Candy Company, small domestic candy manufacturers are at serious risk of losing market share thanks to the increased sugar prices in the U.S..
Sugar globally is around $.20 a pound, while in the U.S. it's closer to $.50 thanks to various subsidies and import duties.
The company has been petitioning Congress to include the removal of these duties and subsidies in the 2012 Farm Bill, yet another reason many are disappointed by its delay.

From the article:

Small and medium sized US confectioners are coming under increasing threat from foreign firms that are able to secure sugar supplies at less than half the going rate in the US, according to the Kimmie Candy Company.

The Nevada based firm, which produces brands such as ChocoRocks, is calling for removal of subsidies and import duties on US sugar in the 2012 Farm Bill and recently invited Congressman Mark Amodei to its factory to put across its view.

‘Foreign advantage’

Speaking to ConfectioneryNews.com, Kelli Post, retail manager for Kimmie Candy, said: “There is an advantage for foreign chocolate companies who have access to the world pricing of sugar which is about $0.20 lb. and in the USA due to the government subsidy on US sugar and import quotas is $0.49 lb. to domestic users.”