• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Tuesday, Oct. 6 a sugar price of around P2,600 per bag leaves the industry barely surviving as he expressed hope that prices will recover to P3,000 per bag, following the decision to keep the country’s sugar production for domestic consumption.
Lacson said he was pleased that stakeholders in the sugar industry recently reached a consensus to classify all sugar produced this crop year for the domestic market, with no importation planned for now.
“I am very happy that it was done in total agreement,” Lacson said.
The governor said the industry is expecting about 1.6 million metric tons of sugar production, a volume he believes could help support domestic requirements and improve market conditions.
With imports being held off, Lacson said the industry is hoping that sugar prices will strengthen.
“Personally, I’d like to see the day that we again reach P3,000 per bag. With that, I think the sugar industry will be okay,” he said.
Lacson, however, acknowledged that reaching the P3,000 level remains uncertain.
He said the industry performed better toward the end of the previous year, but expressed concern that prices could again fall to around P2,600 per bag, which he described as a level that is difficult for producers to sustain.
Lacson stressed the need for better prices to ensure the viability of the sugar industry.
The governor’s remarks come as the country enters another sugar milling season amid concerns over production costs, cane yield and sugar recovery.
Farmers and industry stakeholders have been pushing for policies that would protect domestic sugar prices while ensuring sufficient supply for consumers.
Lacson said he remains hopeful that the industry’s decision to prioritize domestic sugar, combined with adequate production, will create conditions for prices to recover. | GPB
