‘All sugar output should be reserved for domestic use’

MANILA, Philippines — Local sugar producers have urged government to reserve all output for domestic use, citing a projected decline in supply and the need to safeguard the industry.

The National Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry in the Philippines (NACUSIP) and the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Council (ARB Council) have called on the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to classify 100 percent “B” or Domestic Market Sugar classification at the start of the 2026 to 2027 crop year.

“This position is grounded on the urgent need to protect locally produced sugar, ensure price stability and safeguard the livelihoods of workers, farmers and ARBs who collectively produce more than 80 percent of the country’s sugar output,” the groups said in a joint statement.

The groups noted that there is a need to ensure domestic supply stability, strengthen rural economies and fulfill the SRA’s mandate to maintain fair and profitable market conditions.

It added that local producers should be prioritized before any import program is considered.

It also cautioned against linking exports to import rights or replenishment ratios, warning that such a scheme could turn exports into a backdoor for new imports.

NACUSIP and the ARB Council cited the projected decline in local sugar output this crop year as grounds to protect the industry, pointing to the red-striped soft scale insect infestation and unfavorable weather such as prolonged dry spells and erratic rainfall.

The groups stressed that domestic demand already exceeds projected production, underscoring the need to prioritize local supply and prevent market destabilization.

They noted that estimated domestic withdrawals stand at two million metric tons, above the expected 1.66 million MT output for the 2026 to 2027 crop year.