Sugar producers want consultations on import plan

MANILA, Philippines — The Confederation of Sugar Producers Association (CONFED) urged Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. to conduct consultations with planters regarding the proposed importation of 200,000 metric tons (MT) of refined sugar by September.

CONFED wrote to Tiu Laurel  to express its concerns over the plan of the government to allow the importation of refined sugar before the start of the next crop year 2024-2025 begins on Sept. 1.

The group claimed that there was no prior consultation regarding the proposed sugar import program.

“We were thus shocked to learn from a local news article about the government’s plan to import a specific volume for arrival by September without any explanation of the basis for such a plan,” CONFED president Aurelio Gerardo Valderrama Jr. wrote in the letter dated June 28.

The group reiterated its call that any sugar importation plan of the government must be “data-based, calibrated, totally transparent and fair.”

Furthermore, sugar industry stakeholders such as planters must be consulted about any sugar import plan, it added.

“We therefore urge SRA (Sugar Regulatory Administration) to begin consultations with the industry before deciding on whatever importation program may be appropriate for this coming crop year,” Valderrama said.

CONFED said the country’s current inventory levels for both raw and refined sugar would last until September even without importation.

Last week, Tiu Laurel disclosed that the government is set to approve next month the importation of at least 200,000 MT of refined sugar to ensure ample stocks and prevent price spikes in the market.

The agriculture chief noted that the importation program has been on the table for six months already with industry stakeholders, including planters, being consulted about the matter.

Tiu Laurel explained that the sugar import program is being eyed to plug the foreseen shortfall in sugar stocks by August and tide over the country until the next milling season in October.

Earlier this year, President Marcos endorsed the sugar importation proposal of the Private Sector Advisory Council - Agriculture Sector Group during the off-harvest and post-milling season to keep prices of the commodity stable.