Gov’t Okays 424,000 tons of sugar imports
The government has authorized the importation of refined sugar to ensure stable local supply and prices of the sweetener in the coming months.
In Sugar Order No. 8, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) said this round would bring in up to 424,000 metric tons (MT) of imported refined sugar between mid-July and November.
“The intention of this sugar import program is to ensure that the country will continue to have sufficient actual supply of sugar for domestic consumption and for buffer stock,” the order read.
“Despite the relatively stable supply and prices of sugar as of June 2025, the end of milling season and the finite supply of sugar requires action on the part of the government so as to ensure a stable supply and price thereof,” it added.
The SRA issued an order on Tuesday, but it was published on its website on Wednesday.
Based on the order, all sugar imports should arrive in the Philippines from July 15 to Nov. 30. They will be classified as “C” or reserve sugar, subject to disposition or reclassification in the future.
This is the first importation round authorized by the SRA for crop year 2024-2025 and production crop year 2024-2025. It is open to eligible importers who participated in the voluntary purchase of locally produced sugar and exported raw sugar to the United States, as long as they are licensed international sugar traders in good standing.
In the Philippines, the sugar crop year typically begins in September and ends in August of the following year.
The SRA approved the entry of sugar imports even as local output had risen by 12 percent to 2.06 million MT as of June 22 from its updated estimate.
