Press Statement of the Sugar Regulatory Administration
On Additional Sugar Importation
After reviewing and verifying the production figures of this crop year 2009-2010, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has determined there is a need to import an additional volume of 100,000 metric tons of sugar to augment the buffer stocks and ensure consumers have a steady supply of sugar. This volume is on top of or in addition to the 150,000 metric tons imported under the National Food Authority (NFA) Tax Expenditure Subsidy (TES) granted under Executive Order 857.
SRA determined the need for the additional 100,000 metric tons since figures show that production is below than initially projected. Initially SRA estimated production to be around 2.18 million metric tons, but because of the extent of El Nino, actual production may be around 1.97 million metric tons. Compounding the situation is the increase in consumption by around 23% than the previous crop year, which adds pressure to sugar stocks.
The initial volume of 150,000 imported through NFA-TES may not be sufficient to tide the country-over during the off-milling months. Because of El Nino canes are weak and low in sucrose, which discourages early milling. There is therefore a need to augment the buffer supply during this lean, off milling months.
The guidelines or procedure of importation are carefully being studied by SRA and will release them soon. (DA-SRA)
