By CESAR JOLITO III
No sugar importation will be allowed until the end of the current milling season in mid-2026, the national government assured sugar industry stakeholders as part of its commitment to support local producers and stabilize market prices.
This was confirmed during a recent meeting with Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Administrator Paul Azcona and SRA Board Member and Farmers’ Representative Dave Sanson, following concerns over the decline in raw sugar prices during the first sugar bidding held in Negros Occidental on October 9.
To address these issues, Tiu Laurel and Azcona jointly clarified that no importation program for the current crop year is being considered until the completion of major milling operations and the finalization of production figures.
“Let us be clear — there is, and never was, any talk of an importation program for Crop Year 2025-2026 until we finish significant milling, have firm production figures, and ensure any imports would only be classified as C or reserve sugar,” Tiu Laurel and Administrator Azcona said in a joint statement.
The officials also agreed to maintain a two-month buffer stock of refined sugar at all times to ensure a stable supply and prevent price volatility.
Should the need arise for imports, these will remain strictly classified as reserve sugar and will not directly enter the domestic market.
According to the Department of Agriculture, the drop in prices was attributed to market hesitation and speculation, with major traders reportedly holding off on purchases due to conflicting statements from sugarcane farmer groups.
Sanson welcomed the government’s decision, emphasizing its positive impact on the livelihood of sugarcane growers.
“This move assures our farmers that the current administration prioritizes their welfare. It’s a welcome development, and we hope this stabilizes prices now that speculation has been addressed,” Sanson said.
Since 2022, the sugar industry has recorded a steady increase in cultivation, with planted areas expanding from 380,000 hectares to 409,000 hectares this year.
Earlier, lawmakers in the Negros Island Region called for immediate and decisive intervention from the SRA over the sharp and continuing decline of sugar prices, which could place the livelihoods of thousands of sugarcane farmers in jeopardy.
The lawmakers said the mill gate price of sugar had dropped to around P2,200 per 50-kilogram bag, about P300 lower than the estimated cost of production.
The lawmakers urged the SRA to provide a transparent and data-driven explanation for the sudden price slump, including possible links to recent importation policies, pest infestations or fluctuations in market demand.
They also called on relevant government agencies and industry stakeholders to act swiftly and in coordination to cushion the impact of the price drop and restore stability in the sugar industry./CJ, WDJ