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In theory, America goes on a diet this month. But talk about good timing.
It turns out that the price of sugar is expected to rise. The blame goes to Hurricane Katrina, which knocked over and flooded much of the Gulf Coast’s sugar cane crop, closed a major sugar-processing plant, sidelined producers’ delivery trucks and raised the cost of fuel.
As a result, wholesale prices for refined sugar have risen 50 percent since mid-August. Before Aug. 19, wholesale prices were 28 cents a pound, then rose to 42 cents and spot-peaked at 72 cents.
But the increases weren’t immediately passed on because many vendors set holiday prices earlier. They had to accept the added cost, but the increases may now show up in items made with sugar.