One particularly keen concern for the sugar industry: How badly can the hurricane damage the sugar cane fields, as harvest is set to begin on Oct. 1?
Florida sugar cane accounts for nearly a quarter of sugar produced in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The hurricane also could potentially impact sugar prices through oil and ethanol prices, said James Liddiard, analyst at Agrilion Commodity Advisors in New York.
Sugar prices often track energy prices as petroleum is a key input cost and millers can divert cane to sugar or ethanol.
Hurricane Irma is expected to impact the U.S. along the eastern coast of Florida, according to the National Weather Service, before moving on to Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina — states known for cotton, grain and livestock production.
Source: CNBC
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/07/from-su ... -irma.html