The U.S.D.A. forecast U.S. sugar carryover on Oct. 1, 2015, at 1,730,000 short tons, raw value.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture in its World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates on Sept. 11 forecast U.S. sugar carryover on Oct. 1, 2015, at 1,730,000 short tons, raw value, down 91,000 tons, or 5%, from 1,821,000 tons forecast in August. The carryover on Oct. 1, 2016, was projected at 1,648,000 tons, down 132,000 tons, or 7%, from August and down 82,000 tons, or 5%, from the current year.

The 2014-15 ending stocks-to-use ratio was forecast at 14.2%, down from 15.1% as the August forecast. The 2015-16 ending stocks-to-use ratio was projected at 13.5%, down from 14.6% projected in August and at the required minimum 13.5% outlined in the suspension trade agreements between the United States and Mexico.

Lower carryover for 2014-15 was the result of a 7,000-ton reduction in total supply and an 84,000-ton increase in total use. The lower carryover for 2015-16 was the result of a 91,000-ton reduction in beginning stocks and a 66,000-ton reduction in domestic production partially offset by a 25,000-ton increase in imports. Use numbers were unchanged for next year.