LOCAL SUGARCANE PLANTERS don’t seem to find the logic behind the planned sugar importation despite more than enough supply for local consumption.
In a press statement, the Mindanao Sustainable Sugarcane Agricultural Development Incorporated (MINFED) called on the Department of Agriculture (DA) to seriously consider reassessment of the Sugar Regulatory Administration’s (SRA) plan to import refined sugar. SRA is under the Department of Agriculture.
According to the MINFED, such a move could drastically impact production and cause losses to the livelihood of the local sugar industry which includes sugarcane farmers in Mindanao.
The group particularly took a swipe at the Sugar Order No. 8, Series of 2024–2025 authorizing the importation of at least 424,000 metric tons of refined sugar beginning next month.
LOCAL ADVERSE EFFECTS
According to former Bukidnon Rep. Manuel Antonio Zubiri, in his capacity as MINFED president, the imminent sugar importation could hurt local producers already struggling with high production costs and low market prices.
“This move threatens the livelihood of our farmers and the viability of the local sugar industry,” Zubiri said.
He cited that Bukidnon’s two major mills—BUSCO Sugar Milling Company and Crystal Sugar Milling Corporation—still have adequate stocks as of October 7, with 99,726 50-kilogram bags of raw sugar, 1,716,158 50-kg bags of refined sugar and 1,347,737.70 50-kg bags from other mill operations.
LOCAL FARMERS FIRST
The former congressman added that the combined sugar stocks could help supply areas like Negros Occidental, where shortfalls are anticipated, instead of importing new supplies.
Based on consequential assessments, while Bukidnon was spared from the red-striped soft scale insect infestation that hit Negros, prolonged rains have lowered sugar recovery rates and yields, thus reducing the income of local sugar producers. Added to this, rising fertilizer and fuel costs have also contributed significantly in the reduction.
Zubiri asserted that there is ample sugar supply as Bukidnon’s sugar mills are set to begin operations on November 24 and Mindanao currently has around 79,000 hectares of sugarcane plantations, 59,000 hectares of which are located in Bukidnon.
IMPORTATION BAN STAYS
Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Francis Tiu Laurel assured sugar producers and traders that the government will not import sugar until mid-2026, in a bid to ease market anxiety following weak prices seen during the first sugar auction in Negros earlier this month.
“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,” Laurel said in a joint statement.
The government agency added that a two-month buffer stock of refined sugar would be maintained to ensure steady supply and prevent sudden price spikes. Any future imports, he added, will only be classified as reserve sugar and will not be released into the domestic market.