Sugar import ban stays until December 2026

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has maintained that the ban on sugar importation will remain in effect until December 2026, citing improved domestic production and supply conditions.

In a statement issued on December 21, 2025, the DA said the import moratorium will extend beyond the end of the current crop year in September, providing continued protection for local sugar producers.

“The ban on sugar importation will remain in place until December next year—not September, when the current crop year ends—extending protection for local producers amid improving supply conditions,” the agency said.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the extended moratorium is necessary to prioritize locally produced sugar and stabilize the market.

“A longer import moratorium than initially suggested is necessary based on the current outlook for sugar production and demand,” Tiu Laurel said.

The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), whose policy-making body is chaired by Tiu Laurel, will intensify monitoring of refinery operations to ensure accurate accounting of standard and premium-grade refined sugar inventories. The move aims to prevent supply distortions and speculative pricing, according to the DA.

In October 2025, Tiu Laurel and SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona emphasized that there was no plan to allow sugar imports for crop year 2025–2026 until milling progresses further and firm production figures are established. They also stressed that any future imports would be classified strictly as C or reserve sugar.

Earlier reports showed domestic sugar production reached 2.015 million metric tons as of June 2025, up from 1.922 million metric tons in the previous crop year. Sugarcane planting area also expanded from 380,000 hectares in 2022 to 409,000 hectares this year.

Meanwhile, the DA and SRA said they are finalizing a long-delayed regulatory framework for molasses imports to further protect local producers.

Under the proposed rules, molasses users will be required to first purchase locally produced molasses. Imports will only be allowed after these requirements are met and based on a predetermined ratio, subject to SRA approval. (CEBU NEWS)