Philippines bans imports of bioethanol feedstock

MANILA, Philippines — The country has banned the importation of bioethanol feedstock, including molasses and other sugar products, the Sugar Regulatory Administration said.

Sugar Order 4, dated May 18, prohibited the importation of molasses, sugar, sugarcanes, sugar syrups and other products derived from sugarcane and sugar for use in bioethanol production.

The order also stated that any approval for importation of feedstock must be authorized by the National Biofuels Board (NBB).

The SRA said that allowing imports of sugar products for bioethanol production conflicts with the mandates of Republic Act (RA) 9367 or the Biofuels Act.

“What is allowed under RA 9367 and its implementing rules and regulation is the qualified importation of bioethanol itself and not the importation of feedstock for production,” it added.

Under the Biofuels Act all liquid fuels for motors and engines sold in the country must contain “locally sourced biofuels.”

Citing the Department of Energy, the SRA said that locally sourced biofuels are those derived from feedstocks grown or planted, harvested and processed in the Philippines.

SRA earlier allowed the entry of imported molasses and other sugar products for bioethanol feedstock under Sugar Order 12, Series of 2008 to 2009.

The regulator noted that the effects of imported molasses and sugar have negatively impacted local sugar producers.

“The adverse effect thereof on the demand and price of locally produced molasses and sugar is detrimental to the welfare of the Filipino sugar farmers and the entire sugar industry,” the agency added.

The country’s current biodiesel blend remains at three percent or B3, however, the Department of Agriculture and industry groups have been pushing for an increase to five percent to support local farmers and provide cheaper priced fuel.

According to SRA data, molasses production reached 1.04 million metric tons during the 2025 to 2026 crop year, a 5.66 percent decline from 1.07 million MT the previous production year.