7 U.S.C. § 7272 (AGRICULTURE)
§ 7272. Sugar program
(a) Sugarcane
The Secretary shall make loans available to processors of domestically grown sugarcane at a rate equal to—
(1) 18.00 cents per pound for raw cane sugar for the 2008 crop year;
(2) 18.25 cents per pound for raw cane sugar for the 2009 crop year;
(3) 18.50 cents per pound for raw cane sugar for the 2010 crop year;
(4) 18.75 cents per pound for raw cane sugar for each of the 2011 through 2018 crop years;
(5) 19.75 cents per pound for raw cane sugar for each of the 2019 through 2024 crop years; and
(6) 24.00 cents per pound for raw cane sugar for each of the 2025 through 2031 crop years.
(b) Sugar beets
The Secretary shall make loans available to processors of domestically grown sugar beets at a rate equal to—
(1) 22.9 cents per pound for refined beet sugar for the 2008 crop year;
(2) a rate that is equal to 128.5 percent of the loan rate per pound of raw cane sugar for the applicable crop year under subsection (a) for each of the 2009 through 2024 crop years; and
(3) a rate that is equal to 136.55 percent of the loan rate per pound of raw cane sugar under subsection (a)(6) for each of the 2025 through 2031 crop years.
(c) Term of loans
(1) In general
A loan under this section during any fiscal year shall be made available not earlier than the beginning of the fiscal year and shall mature at the earlier of—
(A) the end of the 9-month period beginning on the first day of the first month after the month in which the loan is made; or
(B) the end of the fiscal year in which the loan is made.
(2) Supplemental loans
In the case of a loan made under this section in the last 3 months of a fiscal year, the processor may repledge the sugar as collateral for a second loan in the subsequent fiscal year, except that the second loan shall—
(A) be made at the loan rate in effect at the time the first loan was made; and
(B) mature in 9 months less the quantity of time that the first loan was in effect.
(d) Loan type; processor assurances
(1) Nonrecourse loans
The Secretary shall carry out this section through the use of nonrecourse loans.
(2) Processor assurances
(A) In general
The Secretary shall obtain from each processor that receives a loan under this section such assurances as the Secretary considers adequate to ensure that the processor will provide payments to producers that are proportional to the value of the loan received by the processor for the sugar beets and sugarcane delivered by producers to the processor.
(B) Minimum payments
(i) In general
Subject to clause (ii), the Secretary may establish appropriate minimum payments for purposes of this paragraph.
(ii) Limitation
In the case of sugar beets, the minimum payment established under clause (i) shall not exceed the rate of payment provided for under the applicable contract between a sugar beet producer and a sugar beet processor.
(3) Administration
The Secretary may not impose or enforce any prenotification requirement, or similar administrative requirement not otherwise in effect on May 13, 2002, that has the effect of preventing a processor from electing to forfeit the loan collateral (of an acceptable grade and quality) on the maturity of the loan.
(e) Loans for in-process sugar
(1) Definition of in-process sugars and syrups
In this subsection, the term “in-process sugars and syrups” does not include raw sugar, liquid sugar, invert sugar, invert syrup, or other finished product that is otherwise eligible for a loan under subsection (a) or (b).
(2) Availability
The Secretary shall make nonrecourse loans available to processors of a crop of domestically grown sugarcane and sugar beets for in-process sugars and syrups derived from the crop.
(3) Loan rate
The loan rate shall be equal to 80 percent of the loan rate applicable to raw cane sugar or refined beet sugar, as determined by the Secretary on the basis of the source material for the in-process sugars and syrups.
(4) Further processing on forfeiture
(A) In general
As a condition of the forfeiture of in-process sugars and syrups serving as collateral for a loan under paragraph (2), the processor shall, within such reasonable time period as the Secretary may prescribe and at no cost to the Commodity Credit Corporation, convert the in-process sugars and syrups into raw cane sugar or refined beet sugar of acceptable grade and quality for sugars eligible for loans under subsection (a) or (b).
(B) Transfer to corporation
Once the in-process sugars and syrups are fully processed into raw cane sugar or refined beet sugar, the processor shall transfer the sugar to the Commodity Credit Corporation.
(C) Payment to processor
On transfer of the sugar, the Secretary shall make a payment to the processor in an amount equal to the amount obtained by multiplying—
(i) the difference between—
(I) the loan rate for raw cane sugar or refined beet sugar, as appropriate; and
(II) the loan rate the processor received under paragraph (3); by
(ii) the quantity of sugar transferred to the Secretary.
(5) Loan conversion
If the processor does not forfeit the collateral as described in paragraph (4), but instead further processes the in-process sugars and syrups into raw cane sugar or refined beet sugar and repays the loan on the in-process sugars and syrups, the processor may obtain a loan under subsection (a) or (b) for the raw cane sugar or refined beet sugar, as appropriate.
(6) Term of loan
The term of a loan made under this subsection for a quantity of in-process sugars and syrups, when combined with the term of a loan made with respect to the raw cane sugar or refined beet sugar derived from the in-process sugars and syrups, may not exceed 9 months, consistent with subsection (c).
(f) Avoiding forfeitures; Corporation inventory disposition
(1) In general
Subject to subsection (d)(3), to the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall operate the program established under this section at no cost to the Federal Government by avoiding the forfeiture of sugar to the Commodity Credit Corporation.
(2) Inventory disposition
(A) In general
To carry out paragraph (1), the Commodity Credit Corporation may accept bids to obtain raw cane sugar or refined beet sugar in the inventory of the Commodity Credit Corporation from (or otherwise make available such commodities, on appropriate terms and conditions, to) processors of sugarcane and processors of sugar beets (acting in conjunction with the producers of the sugarcane or sugar beets processed by the processors) in return for the reduction of production of raw cane sugar or refined beet sugar, as appropriate.
(B) Bioenergy feedstock
If a reduction in the quantity of production accepted under subparagraph (A) involves sugar beets or sugarcane that has already been planted, the sugar beets or sugarcane so planted may not be used for any commercial purpose other than as a bioenergy feedstock.
(C) Additional authority
The authority provided under this paragraph is in addition to any authority of the Commodity Credit Corporation under any other law.
(g) Information reporting
(1) Duty of processors and refiners to report
A sugarcane processor, cane sugar refiner, and sugar beet processor shall furnish the Secretary, on a monthly basis, such information as the Secretary may require to administer sugar programs, including the quantity of purchases of sugarcane, sugar beets, and sugar, and production, importation, distribution, and stock levels of sugar.
(2) Duty of producers to report
(A) Proportionate share States
As a condition of a loan made to a processor for the benefit of a producer, the Secretary shall require each producer of sugarcane located in a State (other than the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico) in which there are in excess of 250 producers of sugarcane to report, in the manner prescribed by the Secretary, the sugarcane yields and acres planted to sugarcane of the producer.
(B) Other States
The Secretary may require each producer of sugarcane or sugar beets not covered by subparagraph (A) to report, in a manner prescribed by the Secretary, the yields of, and acres planted to, sugarcane or sugar beets, respectively, of the producer.
(3) Duty of importers to report
(A) In general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall require an importer of sugars, syrups, or molasses to be used for human consumption or to be used for the extraction of sugar for human consumption to report, in the manner prescribed by the Secretary, the quantities of the products imported by the importer and the sugar content or equivalent of the products.
(B) Tariff-rate quotas
Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to sugars, syrups, or molasses that are within the quantities of tariff-rate quotas that are subject to the lower rate of duties.
(4) Collection of information on Mexico
(A) Collection
The Secretary shall collect—
(i) information on the production, consumption, stocks, and trade of sugar in Mexico, including United States exports of sugar to Mexico; and
(ii) publicly available information on Mexican production, consumption, and trade of high fructose corn syrups.
(B) Publication
The data collected under subparagraph (A) shall be published in each edition of the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.
(5) Penalty
Any person willfully failing or refusing to furnish the information required to be reported by paragraph (1), (2), or (3), or furnishing willfully false information, shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for each such violation.
(6) Monthly reports
Taking into consideration the information received under this subsection, the Secretary shall publish on a monthly basis composite data on production, imports, distribution, and stock levels of sugar.
(h) Substitution of refined sugar
For purposes of Additional U.S. Note 6 to chapter 17 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States and the reexport programs and polyhydric alcohol program administered by the Secretary, all refined sugars (whether derived from sugar beets or sugarcane) produced by cane sugar refineries and beet sugar processors shall be fully substitutable for the export of sugar and sugar-containing products under those programs.
(i) Effective period
This section shall be effective only for the 2008 through 2031 crops of sugar beets and sugarcane.
(Pub. L. 104–127, title I, § 156, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 931; Pub. L. 106–387, § 1(a) [title VIII, § 836], Oct. 28, 2000, 114 Stat. 1549, 1549A–62; Pub. L. 107–171, title I, § 1401(a), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 183; Pub. L. 110–234, title I, § 1401(a), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 977; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title I, § 1401(a), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1705; Pub. L. 113–79, title I, § 1301(a), Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 687; Pub. L. 115–334, title I, § 1301(a), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4511; Pub. L. 119–21, title I, § 10312(a), July 4, 2025, 139 Stat. 96.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: References in Text
text: The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, referred to in subsec. (h), is not set out in the Code. See Publication of Harmonized Tariff Schedule note set out under section 1202 of Title 19, Customs Duties.
heading: Codification
text: Provisions of law applicable to sugarcane or sugar beets for the 2023 crop year pursuant to title I of Pub. L. 113–79 and amendment made by section 1301 of Pub. L. 115–334 applicable to the 2024 crop year for sugarcane or sugar beets, see section 102(c)(1) of Pub. L. 118–22, set out in an Extension of Agricultural Programs note under section 9001 of this title.
Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 made identical amendments to this section. The amendments by Pub. L. 110–234 were repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246.
heading: Amendments
text: 2025—Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 119–21, § 10312(a)(1)(B), substituted “2024 crop years; and” for “2023 crop years.”
Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 119–21, § 10312(a)(1)(A), (C), added par. (6).
Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 119–21, § 10312(a)(2)(B), substituted “2024 crop years; and” for “2023 crop years.”
Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 119–21, § 10312(a)(2)(C), added par. (3).
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 119–21, § 10312(a)(3), substituted “2031” for “2023”.
2018—Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 115–334, § 1301(a)(1), added par. (5).
Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 115–334, § 1301(a)(2), substituted “2023” for “2018”.
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 115–334, § 1301(a)(3), substituted “2023” for “2018”.
2014—Subsec. (a)(3)–(5). Pub. L. 113–79, § 1301(a)(1), inserted “and” at end of par. (3), substituted “each of the 2011 through 2018 crop years.” for “the 2011 crop year; and” in par. (4), and struck out par. (5) which read as follows: “18.75 cents per pound for raw cane sugar for the 2012 crop year.”
Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 113–79, § 1301(a)(2), substituted “2018” for “2012”.
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 113–79, § 1301(a)(3), substituted “2018” for “2012”.
2008—Pub. L. 110–246, § 1401(a), amended section generally, substituting provisions relating to loan program for the 2008 through 2012 crops of sugar beets and sugarcane, consisting of subsecs. (a) to (i), for provisions relating to loan program for the 1996 through 2007 crops of sugar beets and sugarcane, including provisions relating to loan rate adjustments, consisting of subsecs. (a) to (j).
2002—Pub. L. 107–171 reenacted section catchline and amended text generally, substituting substantially similar provisions in subsecs. (a), (b), (d), (e), and (h), and substituting in subsec. (c) provisions relating to loan rate adjustments for provisions relating to reduction in loan rates, in subsec. (f) provisions relating to loans for in-process sugar for provisions for marketing assessment, in subsec. (g) provisions relating to avoiding forfeitures and corporate inventory disposition for provisions relating to forfeiture penalty, in subsec. (i) provisions relating to substitution of refined sugar for provisions relating to crops, and adding subsec. (j).
2000—Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 106–387, § 1(a) [title VIII, § 836(1)(B)], substituted “The” for “Subject to paragraph (2), the”.
Pub. L. 106–387, § 1(a) [title VIII, § 836(1)(A)], substituted “nonrecourse” for “recourse”.
Subsec. (e)(2), (3). Pub. L. 106–387, § 1(a) [title VIII, § 836(2)–(4)], redesignated par. (3) as (2), substituted “The Secretary shall” for “If the Secretary is required under paragraph (2) to make nonrecourse loans available during a fiscal year or to change recourse loans into nonrecourse loans, the Secretary shall”, and struck out heading and text of former par. (2). Text read as follows: “During any fiscal year in which the tariff rate quota for imports of sugar into the United States is established at, or is increased to, a level in excess of 1,500,000 short tons raw value, the Secretary shall carry out this section by making available nonrecourse loans. Any recourse loan previously made available by the Secretary under this section during the fiscal year shall be changed by the Secretary into a nonrecourse loan.”
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
text: Amendment of this section and repeal of Pub. L. 110–234 by Pub. L. 110–246 effective May 22, 2008, the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–234, see section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as an Effective Date note under section 8701 of this title.
heading: Effective Date of Assessment Termination
text: Pub. L. 107–171, title I, § 1401(b), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 187, provided that: “Subsection (f) of section 156 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7272(f)), as in effect immediately before the enactment of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 [Pub. L. 107–171], is deemed to have been repealed effective as of October 1, 2001.”
heading: Regulations
text: Pub. L. 106–387, § 1(a) [title VIII, § 840], Oct. 28, 2000, 114 Stat. 1549, 1549A–63, provided that: “As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 28, 2000], the Secretary and the Commodity Credit Corporation, as appropriate, shall issue such regulations as are necessary to implement sections 804, 805, 806, 809, 810, 811, 812, 814, 815, 816, 836, 837, 838, 839, 841, 843, 844, and 845 of this title [amending this section and section 3720B of Title 31, Money and Finance, enacting provisions set out as notes under section 3720B of Title 31, and amending provisions set out as a note under section 1421 of this title]: Provided, That the issuance of the regulations shall be made without regard to: (1) the notice and comment provisions of section 553 of title 5, United States Code; (2) the Statement of Policy of the Secretary of Agriculture effective July 24, 1971 (36 Fed. Reg. 13804), relating to notices of proposed rulemaking and public participation in rulemaking; and (3) chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code (commonly known as the ‘Paperwork Reduction Act’): Provided further, That in carrying out this section, the Secretary shall use the authority provided under section 808 of title 5, United States Code.”
heading: Loans for 2007 Crop Year
text: Pub. L. 110–234, title I, § 1401(b), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 981, and Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title I, § 1401(b), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1709, provided that the Secretary of Agriculture would make loans for raw cane sugar and refined beet sugar available for the 2007 crop year on the terms and conditions provided in section 7272 of this title as in effect on the day before June 18, 2008.
[Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 enacted identical provisions. Pub. L. 110–234 was repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as a note under section 8701 of this title.]