Meet The Florida Sugar Barons Worth $4 Billion And Getting Sweet Deals From Donald Trump

Key Concepts

• Florida Sugar Barons: The Fanhul family, a wealthy family controlling a significant portion of the US sugar industry and real estate.
• Donald Trump's Influence: The role of the former president in potentially influencing corporate decisions, particularly regarding sugar sourcing.
• Coca-Cola's Cane Sugar Initiative: The beverage giant's plan to introduce a new line using US-farmed cane sugar.
• Fanhul Family's Political Donations and Lobbying: The extensive financial contributions and lobbying efforts by the Fanhul family and their companies.
• Criticism of US Sugar Program: Arguments that the US sugar program benefits large producers like the Fanhuls at the expense of fair competition and consumer interests.
• The "American Dream" Debate: Contrasting perspectives on the Fanhul family's success, with some viewing it as a testament to hard work and others as a result of political influence.

The Fanhul Family: Florida Sugar Barons and Political Influence

This report details the significant wealth and political connections of the Fanhul family, a prominent group of sugar magnates in Florida, estimated to be worth $4 billion. Their business empire includes major sugar producers like Domino Sugar and Florida Crystals, and they are reportedly poised to benefit from a new initiative by Coca-Cola to use US-farmed cane sugar.

Coca-Cola's Cane Sugar Initiative and Trump's Involvement

The narrative begins with a meeting between Coca-Cola CEO James Quincy and Donald Trump. During this encounter, Trump inquired about Coca-Cola's use of cane sugar, specifically referencing "Mexican Coke," and was reportedly told by Quincy that there was "not enough supply." This conversation, according to the book "2024: How Trump Retook the White House," appears to have been initiated by Trump after a significant donation from Jose Pepe Fanhul, an 81-year-old Palm Beach sugar magnate and long-time friend and donor of Trump. Fanhul attended Trump's second inauguration after donating nearly $1 million.

Following this, Trump publicly announced on social media that Coca-Cola would be creating an "entirely new line" of soda, stating, "This will be a very good move by them. You'll see it's just better." This announcement coincided with the Fanhul family's long-standing efforts to secure Coca-Cola's business.

Fanhul Family's Business Empire and Market Dominance

The Fanhul siblings, including co-chairmen and co-CEOs Pepe (81) and Alfonso "Alfie" (88), along with Alexander (75), Andreas (67), and Lillian (87), control the largest cane sugar refiner globally. Through Florida Crystals, they produce 16% of the raw sugar in the US, with the company reporting $5.75 billion in revenue in 2024. Their empire extends beyond sugar to include real estate and the renowned Casa de Campo Resort in the Dominican Republic.

Immigration and Political Engagement

The Fanhul family immigrated to South Florida from Cuba in 1959 following the Cuban Revolution. They have a history of donating to both major political parties.

Criticism and the "American Dream" Debate

The Fanhul family faces criticism regarding their business practices and political influence. Colin Greybo of the Cato Institute, author of the 2018 report "Candycoated Cartel: It's Time to Kill the US Sugar Program," offers a critical perspective. Greybo argues that the Fanhuls' success, if it represents the "American dream," is a "pretty cynical take." He contrasts their approach with the classic American ideal of success through inventiveness and hard work, suggesting their achievements are linked to their ability to "bend government policy to your will."

A representative for the Fanhuls countered this, stating, "The Fanhul family is grateful for the opportunities that are possible in this country through determination and a strong work ethic. Their story is the American dream."

Political Donations and Lobbying

Jose Pepe Fanhul remains a close associate of Donald Trump, having hosted and attended fundraisers for him during the 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns. Notably, on the day of Trump's conviction in New York on 34 counts of falsifying business records in May 2024, Pepe Fanhul co-hosted a fundraiser for him in Manhattan.

Collectively, the Fanhul family and their associated companies have contributed over $7 million to Trump's fundraising committees and Super PACs since 2016. Since 1977, their total spending on federal and Florida state campaigns and PACs, benefiting both Democrats and Republicans, has been at least $24 million, according to Federal Election Commission and Florida Department of State data. Furthermore, Florida Crystals has invested over $20 million in lobbying federal politicians since 1999.

Coca-Cola's US Cane Sugar Line: Details and Fanhul Involvement

While Coca-Cola confirmed the launch of its US-farmed cane sugar line for the fall, specific details regarding the sourcing of this sugar remain undisclosed. However, a source familiar with the launch indicated to Forbes that the Fanhuls "will be in the mix," though an exclusive contract is unlikely. This positions the Fanhul siblings as prime beneficiaries of Coca-Cola's expansion into US-grown cane sugar.

Conclusion

The Fanhul family represents a powerful force in the American sugar industry, wielding significant financial resources and political influence. Their close ties to Donald Trump and extensive lobbying efforts appear to be strategically aligned with opportunities like Coca-Cola's new cane sugar initiative, raising questions about the interplay between corporate interests, political donations, and government policy. The debate over their success highlights differing interpretations of the "American dream" and the role of policy in shaping market outcomes.