COMMODITIES: Sweet Toothache

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The U.S. last week bought an estimated 9 million tons of sugar from Cuba, the island's crop for the next two years. On paper, the figure looked big. But for the U.S. housewife it would mean no relief for her aching sweet tooth. There would be no more sugar available. Sugar rationing would still be here for a long time to come.

In winding up lengthy negotiations, the U.S. bought the 1946 Cuban crop for $3.67½ per 100 Ibs. f.o.b. Cuba, instead of for the $3.10 it paid last year. Cuba wanted the U.S. to sign a contract for ten years (TIME, Jan. 28). But the U.S., mindful of the potent domestic sugar-beet lobby, signed for only two.

Cuba will probably get more than the promised price. If Cuba has to pay more for food imports from the U.S., the sugar price will go up accordingly. U.S. housewives will probably pay more. And the maximum price for the 1946 crop will be the minimum price for the 1947 crop.