Food processors are seeking an allocation of sugar exclusively for the industry to make their products competitive with their Asean counterparts.
In a statement, George Barcelon, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) said the group will seek an audience with Sabin Aboitiz, strategic convenor, Private Sector Advisory Council, to discuss the concerns, particularly of the domestic food manufacturing and processing industry on the high cost of sugar and how it puts them at a disadvantage.
The PCCI, through its Agriculture and Fishery Committee, has been advocating with the government to allow small food processors and manufacturers to import refined sugar at 10,000 bags of 50 kilos per bag monthly since 2015 but this has never been granted.
Barcelon said the prevailing world market price of sugar ranges only from P32 to P35 a kilo compared to local cost of from P85 to P115 per kilo.
Barcelon said the government should ensure stable supply and prices of sugar to cushion against possible inflationary increases in food and other basic commodities.
“We are calling on our government to assure our food manufacturing industry that there is enough and sufficient supply of sugar at reasonable cost to be competitive with our neighbors in Asean,” said Barcelon adding that sugar is an important component in food manufacturing and processing.
“Government is cognizant of shortages from local sugar millers and thus allowed limited importation. The lower cost of sugar will help mitigate inflation when enough quantities are allocated for local food and beverage sectors. The employment and economic activities are crucial for our country,” he stressed. – Irma Isip
