No sugar importation until 2026 — DA
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) said that a temporary moratorium on all sugar importation will be imposed until mid-2026 to stabilize the domestic sugar market.
In a statement on Wednesday, October 15, the DA said the government will not import sugar before the current milling season concludes, which is expected to be in May or June 2026.
This was agreed by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr., Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Administrator Paul Azcona, and SRA Board Member and Farmers’ Representative Dave Sanson, according to the department.
The meeting was convened to address the alarmingly low prices of raw sugar recorded during the first sugar bidding in Negros on October 9.
Although weekly sugar biddings are the norm during the roughly 38-week harvest season, the department noted that market hesitation among traders was evident.
“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,” said Azcona and Laurel, according to DA’s statement.
The officials also agreed to maintain a two-month buffer stock of refined sugar at all times.
According to the DA, all sugar imports, if any, will be strictly classified as reserve sugar and will not be allowed to enter the domestic market directly, thus protecting local prices.
“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 in a statement.
Since 2022, the total area planted with sugarcane has expanded significantly, rising from 380,000 hectares to 409,000 hectares this year.
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