INDUSTRY sources expect the suggested retail price (SRP) of sugar to hit P85 per kilo as imports under Sugar Order No. 2 start to arrive and sugar production by local millers has also started.
The remaining imported sugar is expected to arrive before Nov. 15.
“Landed cost po ang ating tinitignan. At the same time alam din po natin na ang ating mga millers po ay nag-umpisa na. Meron na rin po tayong local sugar,” DA Assistant Secretary Kristine Evangelista said.
“So, we have to look into the supply both ‘yung inangkat at ‘yung local and to come up with the price na hindi rin po malulugi ‘yung ating local and at the same time ‘yung ating consumers po kaya na nila magiging affordable po ang asukal,” she added.
Industry sources said the P85 per kilo price was possible because local sugar production was currently at P65, which is higher than the previous year due to high cost of farming.
“Most likely within the week, we will be able to have the exact price that is equitable not only doon sa ating mga importers na tumutulong din po pababain ang presyo but also doon sa ating mga consumers,” Evangelista said.
Based on price monitoring, the supermarket price of sugar reached almost P102 to P134 per kilo. The commodity was at P100 to P106 in wet markets.
“Meron pong mga supermarket na nagbebenta pa rin ng P70 at ‘yung sa palengke po alam nating nahirapan ang ating retailers kasi wala silang access doon sa mas mura,” Evangelista said.
However, household consumers, bakeries and other dessert shop owners hoped that the price of sugar would decrease further ahead of the holiday season. (GMA News)
