Phl defers add'l sugar import plans until mid-2025

The government deferred any sugar importation plans until the middle of next year or until after the harvest season to protect domestic producers as nationwide stocks of the commodity remain ample to prevent any retail price spikes.

-  JASPER EMMANUEL ARCALAS

The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced that Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and Sugar Regulatory Authority (SRA) Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona reached the decision in a recent meeting.

The government officials noted that waiting for the conclusion of the current harvest season would provide regulators a "clearer" understanding of the country's domestic supply position.

Tiu Laurel pointed out that there is no immediate need for additional sugar imports as current domestic stocks for both raw and refined sugar remain enough to meet the country's projected requirement.