Philippines : SRA halts sugar exports to prioritize local demand
The Sugar Regulatory Administration announced that all 2025-2026 sugar output will be classified as domestic “B” sugar to prioritize local demand. Production reached 2.08 M t, exceeding targets. Mindanao farmers led output growth. SRA seeks ₱8 B for soil and irrigation programs, plus ₱1.2 B for high-yield sugarcane propagation, while battling RSSI infestation.
MANILA—The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) said on Wednesday all sugar produced in the 2025-2026 crop year will be classified as “B” or domestic sugar to prioritize local demand.
SRA administrator Pablo Luis Azcona made the announcement at the 71st Philsutech Convention in Cebu, saying the allocation “will best serve local industries dependent on the sweetener.”
In past crop years, the SRA has also tagged all sugar output as “B” to secure local supply amid anticipated weak production.
The SRA classifies raw sugar as A – for export to the US market; B – for domestic consumption; C – for reserves; and D – for export to the world market.
It said that as of July 27, 2025, the country produced 2.084 million metric tons (MT) of raw sugar, up 8.4 percent from last season’s 1.92 million MT and exceeding the industry’s target of 1.7 million MT by 300,000 MT.
Azcona recognized farmers in the southern island of Mindanao as “this year’s heroes of the sugar industry,” citing the largest growth in production from a newly-formed sugar federation there.
The milling season will officially open on Oct. 1, or the nearest Monday, restoring the traditional last-quarter start after a three-year transition.
Despite the strong output, Azcona asked sugar farmers to remain vigilant against the Red Stripe Soft Scale Insect (RSSI) infestation, which has affected over 3,200 hectares in Negros Island and Panay.
The SRA will also request an P8-billion budget for soil rejuvenation and small-scale irrigation, covering 160,000 hectares over three years.
It said another P1.2 billion would be earmarked for the propagation of high-yielding sugarcane varieties across 20,000 hectares.
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Source : Manila Standard
