The U.S. Agriculture Department said it will allow 2011 sugar imports to enter starting on Sept. 1, a month earlier than usual, and will also extend the deadline for 2010 imports by a month to Oct. 31.

"These actions are in response to increased tightness in the U.S. raw sugar market," the USDA said in its announcement.

However, the USDA did not increase its quota for sugar imports for either the 2010 or 2011 fiscal years.

Last month, the USDA made an early announcement of its import quota for 2011 of 1.231 million short tons raw value, the minimum amount it is obliged to accept under World Trade Organization commitments.

The USDA started off the FY2010 sugar program with the WTO-prescribed minimum levels of imports, but increased the sugar quota twice for a combined total of 500,000 short tons.

Imports usually account for about a quarter of U.S. sugar consumption, which the government manages to guarantee a minimum price to growers.

Foodmakers have urged the USDA to increase its imports during the past two years because of relatively high prices and tight world supplies. (Reuters)