Big Sugar continues to spend big on lobbying, according to state data.

In the second quarter of 2025, the industry reported that at least 55 individual lobbyists from 25 different firms were registered to lobby on their behalf. Those lobbyists collected an estimated $609,000, most of it from the two biggest players, U.S. Sugar and Florida Crystals.

Of that figure, U.S. Sugar spent the most — an estimated $369,000 to lobby the state legislature and executive branch. Florida Crystals spent an estimated $200,000.

U.S. Sugar subsidiary Southern Gardens Citrus and its affiliated organizations spent another estimated $25,000, according to state records, while the Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida spent an estimated $15,000.

We say “estimated” because exact figures aren’t reported, only a range (for example, $10,000-$19,999). We derived our estimates using the midpoint of those ranges. Meaning, the total could be even higher.

And remember, these totals are for the second quarter of the year alone. At this pace Big Sugar could spend close to $2.5 million-plus on lobbying this year.

As part of our Dirty Money Project, we reported that at least 98 lobbyists represented the industry between 2018 and 2024.

The lobbying firms carrying sugar’s water are among the most prestigious in Tallahassee, including The Southern Group and Ballard Partners. Individual lobbyists include Steve Crisafulli, former Speaker of the Florida House; Adrian Lukis, former Chief of Staff for Gov. Ron DeSantis, and Ken Pruitt, former President of the Florida Senate — among many others.

When they talk, legislators listen. Which may be why the rest of us have such a hard time being heard.