Latest news with #SugarRegulatoryAdministration
GMA Network
11-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
SRA: Importation of 424,000 MT refined sugar won't affect price
The Sugar Regulatory Administration said Friday the country's importation of nearly half a million metric tons of refined sugar will not affect the prices of sugar in the coming months. SRA administrator Pablo Azcona said the importation of 424,000 MT tons, which should arrive in the country starting July 15, will also not affect farmers. ''Yung pricing natin has been stable on the retail market. 'Yung refined sugar natin ay nag-stay sa P85 for the last three years already…. And we are actually seeking to keep it there, just keep it stable,' he said in Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon. (Our pricing has been stable on the retail market. The price of refined sugar has stayed at P85 for the last three years already…And we are actually seeking to keep it there, just keep it stable.) 'In the last year, bumaba din 'yung price ng brown sugar at washed sugar sa retail…So parang 'yung situation sa ngayon, very good for the farmer, tumaas 'yung farmgate at millgate price niya. Very good din for the consumer, bumaba 'yung retail price ng brown at ng washed, at stable si refined,' Azcona added. (In the last year, the prices of brown sugar and washed sugar in the retail market also declined….So the situation now is very good for the farmers, because the farmgate and millgate prices increase. But it is also very good for the consumers because the prices for the brown and washed sugar have decreased, while the price of refined sugar has remained stable.) SRA earlier allowed the importation "to ensure that the country [would] continue to have sufficient actual supply of sugar for domestic consumption and buffer stock.' The sugar regulatory agency added that the country currently has a stock of 310,000 MT of refined sugar which could last until October. Hence, the entry of the 424,000 MT of refined sugar should be by November 30. 'Yung current stock kasi natin ng refined sugar ay nasa 310,000 metric tons po at off milling na po tayo ngayon. So 'yung 310,000 metric tons natin ay this is good for about almost four months po, and that will be around October at wala pa rin po tayong local refining by that time. So 'yung pag-angkat natin, half of it will be used, kailangan natin, and then 170,000 gagamitin as two-month buffer po,' said Azcona. (Our current stock of refined sugar is at 310,000 metric tons and we are currently off milling. So the 310,000 metric tons we have now is good for about four months, which could last until around October. But we still had no local refining by that time. So with the importation, half of it will be used for our own and the other 170,000 will be allocated for the two-month buffer.) The importers who will be allowed to bring in the required refined sugar volume are licensed international sugar traders in "good standing," those who have joined the government's past sugar importation calls, and those who participated in the export of raw sugar to the US to fulfill the Philippines' tariff rate quota, according to SRA. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/AOL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
09-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Philippines OKs importation of 424,000 MT refined sugar
In its Sugar Order No. 08, series of 2024-2025, the SRA allowed the entry of a total of 424,000 MT of imported refined sugar, which should arrive in the country starting July 15, 2025, until not later than November 30, 2025. The Philippine government, through the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), has approved the importation of nearly half a million metric tons (MT) of refined sugar later this year. In its Sugar Order No. 08, series of 2024-2025, the SRA allowed the entry of a total of 424,000 MT of imported refined sugar, which should arrive in the country starting July 15, 2025, until not later than November 30, 2025. The agency said the sugar import program was meant "to ensure that the country [would] continue to have sufficient actual supply of sugar for domestic consumption and buffer stock.' The importers who will be allowed to bring in the required refined sugar volume are licensed international sugar traders in "good standing," those who have joined the government's past sugar importation calls, and those who participated in the export of raw sugar to the US to fulfill the Philippines' tariff rate quota. The agency added that the imported refined sugar under the latest order should be classified as 'reserve' to be subjected to 'future disposition or reclassification, as the SRA deems necessary.' "Imported sugar classified under this SO shall only be stored in an SRA-registered warehouse or directly to the consumer's warehouse as indicated in the importer's application," the SRA order said. "However, the declared consumer's warehouses must be pre-inspected to avoid co-mingling of imported sugar stocks and domestic sugar stocks," it added. The SRA had earlier reported that sugar production for crop year 2024 to 2025, as of June 8, 2025, stood at 2.015 million MT, up 4.7% from 1.92 million MT in crop year 2023 to 2024. –NB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
19-06-2025
- General
- GMA Network
Pest infestation expands to 1,505 hectares of sugar farms —SRA
The threat of Red Striped Softscale Insect (RSSI) infestation in sugarcane farms in Western Visayas has expanded further, now covering over a thousand hectares of production area, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) said Thursday. In a statement, SRA Administrator Pablo Azcona said that 'from 87 hectares of RSSI infestation, it has expanded to over 1,505 hectares in less than a month, the bulk of which is in the heart of sugarlandia, Negros Occidental, where it has spread to 1,490 hectares.' The rest of the infestations are in Iloilo, Capiz, and Negros Oriental. 'While this is still a fraction of sugar cane fields, the rapid spread is worrisome and I believe that the real data can even be bigger as there are farms that have started their own remedy without reporting the matter to SRA,' Azcona said. 'On a positive note, there are 97 hectares monitored to have been recovering and that is a good sign,' he said. The RSSI damages sugarcane by sucking leaf sap, causing foliage to die. Its excrement also encourages fungal growth that can kill the plant. Azcona noted the seriousness of the situation, especially during the harvest season, when sugarcane and planting materials are frequently transported across regions. To contain the pest, SRA said it has distributed pesticides, dispatched technical teams to train farmers, and requested emergency powers to use stronger pest-control chemicals. 'I am urging all sugar groups and farmers to report the extent of infestation in their farmlands to the SRA or through their MDDCs (Mill District Development Councils) to provide us a better picture on how to resolve the situation,' Azcona said. The SRA chief also called on local government units, especially in highly infested areas, 'to declare a state of emergency as this will help us in expediting procurement of pesticides that can be immediately distributed to help abate this infestation.' 'The DA has approved a P10-million allocation for pesticide purchase but without the proper data, our hands are tied as well on how best to approach this situation and curb the spread of the RSS,' he said. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
03-06-2025
- General
- GMA Network
Containment efforts underway as sugar pest infestation spreads to Negros
The Red Striped Softscale Insect (RSSI) damages sugarcane by sucking leaf sap, causing foliage to die. Its excrement also encourages fungal growth that can kill the plant. The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) is intensifying its efforts to curb the growing threat of the Red Striped Softscale Insect (RSSI), a sugarcane pest that has now affected over 400 hectares in Negros Island, the country's key sugar-producing region. In an interview Tuesday SRA Administrator Pablo Azcona confirmed that the pest—first detected in Tarlac and Pampanga in late 2022—has reached multiple provinces across Negros and has reportedly crossed over to Panay Island. 'Yung total na latest na report na kuha po is a total of 424 hectares na po at 222 farmers ang apektado,' said Azcona during a briefing in Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon. (According to the latest report, a total of 424 hectares and 222 farmers have been affected.) 'Umpisa po siya sa North, umabot na po siya hanggang Central Negros, tumawid na po ng Oriental, at may reports na pati sa Panay.' (It started in the North [Luzon], has reached Central Negros, crossed over to Negros Oriental, and there are reports it has also reached Panay Island.) The RSSI damages sugarcane by sucking leaf sap, causing foliage to die. Its excrement also encourages fungal growth that can kill the plant. Azcona noted the seriousness of the situation, especially during the harvest season, when sugarcane and planting materials are frequently transported across regions. To contain the pest, SRA said it has distributed pesticides, dispatched technical teams to train farmers, and requested emergency powers to use stronger pest-control chemicals. 'Umikot tayo at namigay ng pesticides, tinuruan din po natin ang farmers kung paano ito i-control.' (We went around and distributed pesticides, and also trained the farmers on how to control it.) A multi-agency task force has also been formed, including the Department of Agriculture (DA), Negros Island Region officials, and local government units. Drone spraying is being tested as a rapid containment method. Despite the concerning situation, Azcona assured the public that the outbreak is still under control. 'Out of 250,000 hectares ng sugarcane sa Negros, 424 hectares pa lang ang apektado. Hindi pa po ganoon kalaki.' (Out of the 250,000 hectares of sugarcane in Negros, only 424 hectares have been affected so far. It's not that extensive yet.) Still, he warned that if the RSSI infestation worsens, it could impact national sugar output, given that Negros accounts for about 65% of the country's production. 'If tinamaan ang buong Negros, masakit talaga sa national production.' (If the entire island of Negros is hit, it will seriously hurt national production.) SRA is also coordinating with the Bureau of Plant Industry and the DA to establish stricter movement controls of planting materials between islands. Azcona revealed that the agency is seeking quarantine powers to avoid further pest migration. 'We are asking the DA and BPI na hindi pwedeng maglipat ng planting materials from one island to another without coordination and permits.' (We are asking the DA and BPI to prohibit the transfer of planting materials from one island to another without proper coordination and permits.) On another front, the SRA is tightening its oversight of sugar substitutes. By November, all importers of sugar alternatives using tariff code 1702 must register with the SRA. This move aims to curb smuggling and prevent revenue losses. 'May mga gumagamit ng 1702 pero ang laman ng container ay 1701. So nalulugi ang gobyerno sa tamang tariff,' Azcona said. (Some use code 1702 but the container actually contains 1701. So the government loses tariff revenue.) 'We just want accurate data and to make sure the government collects the right tariffs.' Unregistered importers will no longer be issued import clearances under tariff code 1702, which covers alternative sweeteners. 'They will not be allowed to import. We can only release import clearances for legitimate international sugar traders.' Azcona concluded with a call for greater biosecurity awareness, cooperation among agencies, and long-term pest management planning to safeguard the country's sugar industry from future threats. —RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
21-05-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Pest infestation monitored in sugar farms in Negros Occidental —SRA
The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) on Wednesday said it has monitored an infestation of red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI)—which can reduce sugar content by as much as 50%—in sugar farms across six areas in northern Negros Occidental. In a statement, the SRA said it created a task force, headed by SRA Board Member David Andrew Sanson, to control the infestation and seek quarantine measures from the Department of Agriculture (DA). SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona advised sugar farmers to be 'more vigilant' where they purchase their cane points, as the infestation is suspected to have been brought to Negros from Luzon, where an RSSI infestation has happened before and is still present in some farms. 'We cannot afford to have an infestation, as some farmers are already starting to plant their canes for the next crop year. We made a good showing this year despite the challenges brought about by the long drought, and I hope we can maintain the momentum and even exceed our targets for next year if we will all help one another in containing this infestation,' Azcona said. According to the SRA chief, RSSI can raise production costs and decrease yield, which can jeopardize the stability of the industry. The agency is expecting that sugar production in the previous crop year could reach 1.837 million metric tons (MT), higher than the initial estimate of 1.782 million MT. The SRA said that upon receiving reports from the field in north Negros, it sought the help of the National Crop Protection Center (NCPC) at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, which facilitated the research and found at least five insecticides that may be able to limit the infestation. Based on the NCPC's study, buprofezin, dinotefuran, phenthoate, pymetrozine, and thiamethoxam have shown potential in curbing the spread. However, the SRA said, citing the NCPC, 'This is not conclusive until we conduct a second field trial in a different location,' before they can even seek an emergency-use permit from the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA), as 'these insecticides are not yet registered for sugarcane.' The SRA said Azcona will propose that the second trial be conducted in Negros. In the meantime, the agency will implement quarantine of canes from infected areas. Sanson said that the task force will set up an Operation and Monitoring Center to document and report all RSSI and related issues around the country and will facilitate coordination and consultation among SRA delivery units and partner agencies that are involved in the management of the RSSI. 'Supporting the task force is not optional, as it is essential in ensuring the future of the sugarcane industry,' said Sanson. — VBL, GMA Integrated News
