Contact: Marti Pupillo
(202) 220-3535
mpupillo@idfa.org
(Washington, D.C. - March 5) Supply shortages, the use of corn sweeteners and Mexican market factors were just a few of the topics covered at this year's International Sweetener Colloquium, February 21-24 at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami, Fla. With record-breaking attendance, the 2010 Sweetener Colloquium drew nearly 400 industry professionals, making it the largest annual gathering in almost a decade.
Hosted by the International Dairy Foods Association and the Sweetener Users Association, the event addressed the sweetener industry's latest challenges, obstacles and opportunities with presentations from a wide range of speakers, including government officials, industry executives, journalists and academics.
The keynote speaker was Jim Miller, under secretary of agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, who discussed supply and demand issues currently facing the sweetener sector. In the face of unusually tight markets for refined sugar, Miller said U.S. officials would keep the interests of both producers and users in mind. They also will work to ensure that key provisions of the Farm Bill are enforced, he added.
Other topics included the carbon footprint of the sweetener sector, U.S. and international market outlooks, and industry relations with Mexico.
"We were extremely please with both the turnout and substance for this year's Colloquium," said Clay Hough, IDFA senior group vice president. "This annual meeting remains one of the most critical events for the sweetener industry, and we see that trend continuing for many years to come."
IDFA, SUA Thank Sponsors
IDFA and SUA would like to thank this year's sponsors: Amalgamated Sugar, Corn Products, CSC Sugar, Domino Sugar, ICE Futures, Imperial Sugar, Jenkins Sugar Group, Sweetener Supply Corporation, and UNICA. More information about these companies is available at www.idfa.org.
The 2011 International Sweetener Colloquium will be held February 13-16 at the Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego, Calif. For more information, contact Katie Sparrow, IDFA manager of international affairs at 202-220-3507 or ksparrow@idfa.org.
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The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation's dairy manufacturing and marketing industries and their suppliers, with a membership of 550 companies representing a $110-billion a year industry. IDFA is composed of three constituent organizations: the Milk Industry Foundation (MIF), the National Cheese Institute (NCI), and the International Ice Cream Association (IICA). IDFA's 220 dairy processing members run more than 600 plant operations, and range from large multi-national organizations to single-plant companies. Together they represent more than 85% of the milk, cultured products, cheese and frozen desserts produced and marketed in the United States.