The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) expressed concern on the impact of Kanlaon Volcano’s eruption in Negros Occidental on the country’s sugar industry.

“The main problem, according to our technicians and scientists, is the acidity of the ash. So, if it stays on the leaves, it will burn the leaves. When the leaves are burned, what happens is that canes mature a lot faster and will go into inversion. Sugar turns into vinegar, more or less,” said SRA Administrator Pablo Azcona at a press chat in Makati City.

Azcona said that, based on initial reports, ash fall from the eruption has affected La Carlota, Negros Occidental, which hosts one of the biggest sugar mills in the region.

In particular, he said the Asociacion de Agricultores de La Carlota y Pontevedra Inc., considered the biggest sugar farmer association in the Philippines, is located in La Carlota.

Last June, Kanlaon also erupted, which, according to the SRA chief, caused damage to sugarcane leaves, therefore, reducing its photosynthesis capability as well as causing biological and chemical disruption in the soil that could all lead to reduction of sugar yield.

With this, Azcona expressed hope that the rainfall would help in washing away ash fall and lower the acidity levels of crops.

Nonetheless, the SRA has been projecting a decrease in the country’s sugar production for the current crop year to 1.78 million metric tons (MT), down by 7.3 percent from the previous crop year’s 1.92 million MT due to the combined effects of El Niño and La Niña phenomena. (GMA Integrated News)