Modification of Total Amount of Tariff-rate Quota for Imported Raw Cane Sugar

Paragraph (a)(i) of additional U.S. note 5 to chapter 17 of the HTS provides in part that ``* * * the aggregate quantity of raw cane sugar entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, under subheading 1701.11.10, during any fiscal year, shall not exceed in the aggregate an amount (expressed in terms of raw value), not less than, 1,117,195 metric tons, as shall be established by the Secretary of Agriculture (hereinafter referred to as ``the Secretary''), and the aggregate quantity of sugars, syrups, and molasses entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, under subheadings 1701.12.10, 1701.91.10, 1701.99.10, 1702.90.10 and 2106.90.44, during any fiscal year, shall not exceed in the aggregate an amount (expressed in terms of raw value), not less than 22,000 metric tons, as shall be established by the Secretary.'' On August 3, 1995, the Secretary established the aggregate quantity of 1,117,195 metric tons, raw value, of raw cane sugar that may be entered under subheading 1701.11.10 of the HTS and the aggregate quantity of 22,000 metric tons (raw value basis) for certain sugars, syrups, and molasses that may be entered under subheadings 1701.12.10, 1701.91.10, 1701.99.10, 1702.90.10, and 2106.90.44 of the HTS during FY 96. (60 FR 42142) On November 9, 1995, the Secretary increased the aggregate quantity of raw cane sugar that may be entered under subheading 1701.11.10 to 1,417,195 metric tons. Again on January 17, 1996, the Secretary increased the aggregate quantity of raw cane sugar that may be entered under subheading 1701.11.10 to 1,817,195 metric tons. Paragraph (a)(ii) of additional U.S. note 5 to chapter 17 of the HTS provides that ``[w]henever the Secretary believes that domestic supplies of sugars may be inadequate to meet domestic demand at reasonable prices, the Secretary may modify any quantitative limitations which have previously been established * * *.'' The U.S. sugar production forecast for FY 96 released on March 12, 1995, in the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) was reduced by 10,000 short tons raw value (STRV) to 7.5 million STRV from the WASDE production forecast released on January 16, 1996. The domestic wholesale refined sugar prices in the midwest market have been increasing since the tariff-rate quota increase was announced by the Secretary. During the first week of November 1995 the refined sugar price was 26.50 cents per pound. The refined sugar price during the first week of January 1996 was 28.75-29.25 cents per pound, which represents a 2.25 cent per pound increase. Today refined prices range from 29.50-31.50 cents per pound. Paragraph (b)(i) of U.S. additional note 5 provides that ``[t]he quota amounts established [by the Secretary] may be allocated among supplying countries and areas by the United States Trade Representative.''

Notice

Notice is hereby given that I have determined, in accordance with paragraph (a)(ii) of additional U.S. note 5 to chapter 17 of the HTS, that an aggregate quantity of up to 2,017,195 metric tons, raw value, of raw cane sugar described in subheading 1701.11.10 of the HTS may be entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption during the period from October 1, 1995 through September 30, 1996. This modified quota amount will be allocated among supplying countries and areas by the United States Trade Representative.

Signed at Washington, DC, on April 2, 1996. Dan Glickman, Secretary of Agriculture. [FR Doc. 96-8618 Filed 4-5-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-10-M