The Philippines will import at least 200,000 metric tons (MT) of refined sugar by September to fill a projected supply shortfall before the harvest season, according to Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, secretary of the Department of Agriculture. (DA).
“The current stock will fall by August, September, so we have to (cover a gap) of up to 200,000 tons by then,” Tiu Laurel told reporters.
In a statement, Pablo Azcona, administrator of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), said the importation program by the DA is part of the current crop year’s Sugar Order (SO) 2 which pre-qualified importers for future importation program if they have bought local sugar.
“SO2 increased the farmer price to a stable P2,700 to P2,800 per bag of raw sugar, which also stabilized retail refined prices at P73 to P100 per kg. This program pre-qualified an import volume of almost 200,000 MT of refined sugar and was planned in January and formally signed March 8, 2024,” Azcona said.
SRA said it has pre-qualified and pre-allocated based on importers’ actual support for the local farmers.
“As we said previously, we will activate an import plan should the trigger stock level be reached to ensure a stable supply and stable price for our retail and industrial consumers, as well as to ensure that our farmers will not be affected,” Azcona said.
In a separate statement, the United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines (UNIFED) said it is “agreeable” with the importation.
“This will fill in the shortage before harvest season starts on September. Harvest this coming crop year will be delayed due to El Niño and when we were consulted about this matter, we approved the proposal,” said Manuel Lamata, UNIFED president.
