It’s planting season for sugarcane farmers in Louisiana as they replenish fields which might be older than three years and not yielding as a lot sugar.

When President Donald Trump mentioned he wished Coca-Cola to make use of sugarcane in its signature drink, as a substitute of high-fructose corn syrup, it introduced loads of consideration to the business.

Patrick Frischhertz is the son-in-law of an eighth technology sugarcane farmer. He’s been within the enterprise for near 16 years, and he oversees St. Louis Planting in Plaquemine. The corporate farms sugarcane and soybeans. When Trump boasted he’d satisfied Coca-Cola to make use of pure sugar, Frischhertz mentioned it was welcome information.

“It appears to be getting all people speaking about sugar cane in Louisiana and our pure product. And as farmers we’re actually appreciative of it,” Frischhertz.

Israel Huerta is initially from Mexico, and he’s been a U.S. citizen since 2013. He’s labored on the farm in Plaquemine for even longer. He admits he’s biased relating to evaluating the high-fructose corn syrup in Coca-Cola to the one made with sugarcane.

“Really, I believe in Mexico they use that already. They use sugarcane and it tastes higher. And it’s, it’s extra, uh, it’s not, I’m not, I’m not gonna say wholesome, however it’s higher, you recognize? Yeah. It’s higher,” Huerta mentioned.

In response to the USDA, Florida produces probably the most sugarcane within the nation–greater than 17 million tons yearly, adopted by Louisiana, which produces 13.8 million tons.

So if there is a rise in demand, farmers listed here are prone to see it. Frischhertz was requested if he’s observed this.

“ No, no. Our farm has not heard something from any distributors or beverage producers about attempting to extend sugar, by any means,” he mentioned. “For us, it’s enterprise as common and dealing laborious out within the discipline to supply the most effective crop that we presumably can.”

Coca-Cola has said they plan to launch a line of their signature beverage sweetened with sugarcane within the U.S. this fall.

Within the meantime, Frischhertz mentioned he’ll watch and wait, see if the demand for sugarcane in mushy drinks will increase, and plant accordingly.