By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
Various sugar groups are currently asking for data from the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) on a new proposal to import sugar into the country.
This comes after soft drink manufacturers have again claimed that they are running low on sugar supply and are requesting to allow the importation of sugar directly from President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
In a letter forwarded by Confederation of Sugar Producers Association Inc. (CONFED) president Aurelio Gerardo Valderrama, Jr. to SRA administrator David John Thaddeus Alba, they are requesting the SRA to provide copies of pre-final crop estimates and demand projection, specific monthly volume requirements for carbonated soft drinks from January to August of this year, and the proposed volume and schedule of arrival of imports.
Valderrama said they have recognized since the onset of the milling season that there will be a projected shortage in domestic sugar production over consumption.
In fact, together with the National Federation of Sugarcane Planters (NFSP), Panay Federation and the Philippine Sugarcane Millers Association, they supported the issuance of Sugar Order No. 4 in August of last year, which amounts to 300,000 metric tons.
Valderrama pointed out all sugar imports, if justified, should be calibrated on the basis of verified requirements and the time of need. Thus, only the necessary volume of sugar should be imported at the proper time.
He further pointed out that imports should arrive during the peak milling season so that these will not depress domestic mill gate prices.
The CONFED head said the SRA should ensure that the imports for carbonated soft drinks are actually used for their intended requirements and do not leak into the retail market.
Meanwhile, NFSP president Enrique Rojas also voiced the same opinion as Valderrama and further added that should figures justify the requested importation, they strongly recommend that only the necessary volume of sugar should be imported.
Rojas also said the importation should arrive at the end of the milling season, so that its entry into the country will not depress domestic mill gate sugar prices.
He further added the SRA and the soft drinks industry should implement safeguards to make sure that imported sugar will not leak into the domestic market./DGB, WDJ