By JEN BAYLON
Sugar production in the Philippines for the current crop year is projected to finish at 1.837 million metric tons (MMT), nearly five percent higher than the initial estimate of 1.782 MMT, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) said.
As of now, sugar production has reached 1.815 MMT, according to SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona.
The Visayas accounts for the largest share of sugar production at 71 percent, with Negros Island contributing 63 percent, Panay generating 6.3 percent, and the remainder coming from plantations in Cebu and Leyte provinces.
Mindanao, which is being developed as the next frontier for the sugar industry, is expected to contribute nearly 24 percent of the country’s total output.
Currently, Mindanao has the highest average rate per ton of cane (LKGTC) at 1.74, followed by Negros at 1.65, and Panay and Luzon both at 1.54.
Luzon accounts for about five percent.
However, the SRA said the current crop year’s sugar output is expected to be four percent lower than the 1.92 MMT recorded in the previous crop year.
Azcona explained that the initial production estimate was conservative because it was based on the health and assessment of sugarcane following the severe El Niño phenomenon in 2024.
“We are ending on a positive note, and we can attribute this to the administration’s prioritization of research and development, including the propagation of new SRA sugarcane varieties, improvements in soil conditions, irrigation and adjustments to the cropping calendar to better suit the climate,” Azcona said.
Despite a lower LKGTC, the increase in output is attributed to a rise in sugarcane tonnage per hectare planted, which helped offset the lower extraction rates.
The crop year for sugar begins on September 1 and ends on August 31 of the following year.
Azcona also highlighted the government’s efforts to stabilize prices since 2022.
“Fair farm gate prices encouraged farmers to risk replanting their El Niño-damaged canes using new SRA varieties, as they were hopeful that prices would eventually compensate for the high cost of production,” he added.
In fact, Azcona noted that fair prices are also motivating new farmers to plant sugarcane.
Looking ahead, he expressed optimism for the next milling season, hoping for higher sugarcane tonnage and improved sugar recovery rates per LKGTC.
The milling season at the La Carlota Sugar Mill has concluded, with Binalbagan-Isabela Sugar Company and Universal Robina Corporation – Southern Negros Development Corporation expected to close operations later this week./JB, WDJ