State Dining Room, Malacañan Palace
May 15, 2023

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. listened to the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) on recent developments in the Philippines’ sugar industry during a meeting at the State Dining Room in Malacañan Palace.

SRA Acting Administrator and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pablo Luis Azcona briefed the President on the number of operating sugar mills as of 7 May 2023 (as milling operations are about to end this month); the forecast demand and production for crop year 2022-2023; updates in Sugar Order No. 6, s. 2022-2023 referring to the 2nd Sugar Importation Program; and recommended requirements for participants/sugar traders to qualify for the proposed additional volume of import.

The suggested and comparative prices of refined sugar (for locally produced and imported sugar) were also in the agenda. SRA Acting Administrator Azcona informed the Chief Executive that when sugar imports came in, farmers were able to maintain their price point by the end of selling season, adding that they were optimistic of the Administration’s sugar importation program.

The official also discussed the SRA’s plans to move the new crop year 2023-2024 from August to September for milling and harvesting. This is to minimize the milling of young canes and to provide better sugar recovery, longer milling period, higher production volume, better factory preparation and fair opportunities to both the millers and farmers.

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