By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines (Unifed) said they are grateful that mill gate prices of sugar have increased to levels that are “more comfortable for farmers.”

“Prices are a big relief to planters who are also facing the problem brought about by El Niño,” Unifed president Manuel Lamata said in a statement.

Lamata lauded the efforts of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) for finding solutions to their problems with low mill gate prices at the start of the milling season.

“We owe a lot to Secretary [Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr.] and [SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona], and also our planters’ representative to the SRA Board, Dave Sanson,” Lamata said.

Mill gate prices are now on the average of P2,850 for every 50-kilogram sugar bag.

When Unifed made an appeal to the DA and SRA, prices were at P2,400 for each 50-kilogram bag, a price that is not suitable for farmers, particularly those operating with smaller plantations.

Following the DA and SRA’s intervention with the issuance of Sugar Order No. 2 and thereafter, prices started to increase.

“This was not even a break-even point for the farmers, particularly those with smaller plantations, as the costs of farm inputs were also high at that time,” Lamata said.

“We immediately sought the DA and SRA intervention, and thankfully, they responded with the issuance of Sugar Order No. 2,” he added./DGB, WDJ