NextGen Day

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has yet to approve the Sugar Regulatory Administration’s (SRA) draft import plan for 450,000 metric tons of sugar for buffer stock, the SRA stated on Tuesday.

SRA board member and planters’ representative Pablo Luis Azcona stated during the Laging Handa briefing that they had taken into account the input of sugar growers and other stakeholders in the finalization of their draft import plan.

He stated, “We have already received the suggestions and remarks from our stakeholders.

“SRA will keep an eye on the remaining supplies of local sugar, and whenever we predict that our supply is close to running out, we will gradually release the 450,000 (metric tons) that we are talking about. Thus, this stock would be used exclusively for reserves, he said in a combination of English and Filipino.

To stabilize market prices, Azcona stated that the SRA will think about releasing some imported sugar after it arrives in the nation.

Given that our prices are rising and everyone is assuming that the sugar supply will eventually run out, he remarked, “We might have to release part of it at the beginning to just stabilize the prices.”

The SRA claimed that one of the key elements influencing sugar retail pricing is the speculation of some dealers.

A draft for a special allocation of sugar importation to the industrial sector was also submitted by the SRA.

“They requested a specific allotment in writing, and they want it for themselves. As a result, we prepared a draft sugar order and are now waiting for the DA to decide whether to approve or disapprove the exceptional allocation, according to Azcona.

He did, however, recognize that some groups were against the alleged proposal for a special allotment.

“It’s not right…” Usually, when we have an importing program, industrials don’t have a set volume that is designated just for them. Before, the industrial (sector) just took part in the importation program because some of them are sugar traders. For allocations, they competed with the other traders, he continued.

The SRA has previously stated that imports would only be made in order to maintain buffer stocks and prevent excessive price increases, but with careful consideration given to the timing and magnitude of the imports as the government works to support farmers in increasing domestic production.

The SRA stated that as part of its long-term strategy, it will work with the Department of Agrarian Reform to promote the block farming method.

“This will increase their per-hectare production overall. Basically, we can introduce technology and mechanization after ma-block up natin sila (we block them up) into a larger region, he said, referring to land reform recipients.

In addition to block cropping, the SRA is contemplating pushing back the start of the milling season until October.

“Since a lot of the mills opened this year in August, the pricing was really alluring. Even though the sugarcane is just nine to ten months old, our farmers are still harvesting it to reduce its sugar level, he said.

According to the SRA, a postponement of the start of the milling season would result in a five to ten percent rise in sugar output.

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