BACOLOD City – The Negros Occidental-based Confederation of Sugarcane Producers’ Associations (CONFED) has called on the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to initiate consultations with stakeholders regarding the sugar policy for the 2024-2025 crop year, amid concerns over proposed sugar imports.
CONFED president Aurelio Gerardo Valderrama Jr. highlighted concerns following reports that the government plans to import approximately 200,000 metric tons of refined sugar by September.
“There was no basis provided for the import plan, nor were any stakeholder consultations conducted,” said Valderrama.
In a recent communication with Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel, Jr., CONFED presented data from the SRA dated June 9, 2024, showing sufficient stock levels of both raw and refined sugar — 436,229 metric tons and 492,985 metric tons, respectively.
Valderrama argued that the current inventory levels are adequate to meet domestic needs until the commencement of the new milling season later in the year.
But the official start of milling for the 2024-2025 crop year has not been announced, and crop estimates have not been made, especially in the context of the ongoing El Niño phenomenon.
Valderrama emphasized the need for any sugar importation plans to be “data-based, calibrated, totally transparent, and fair, conducted in consultation with industry stakeholders to avoid speculation and manipulation.”
On the other hand, the United Sugar Producers Federation (UNIFED) supports the Department of Agriculture’s importation plan, viewing it as necessary to address potential shortages before the harvest begins in September, according to UNIFED president Manual Lamata./PN
