• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Confederation of Sugar Producers Associations (Confed) Inc. said that more imported sugar than local sugar are being withdrawn by traders, resulting in the prevailing low prices of P2,300 to P2,500 per 50-kilo bag, citing a report of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA).
Of the 209,408 metric tons (MT) of refined sugar withdrawn by traders as of Nov. 12, only 32 percent, which is equivalent to 66,608MT, were locally refined sugar, while 68 percent, or 142,800MT, comprised of imported refined sugar, citing the SRA’s Sugar Supply and Demand Situation reports.
Of the 173,257MT of refined sugar withdrawn as of Oct. 29, some 69 percent, which is equivalent to 119,050MT, were imported refined sugar while only 31 percent, or 54,209MT were locally refined.
Confed reviewed the SRA report during their recent meeting in Manila.
“This seems to indicate that priority is given to imported sugar over locally refined sugar,” Confed president Aurelio Valderrama Jr. said.
The intervention of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel has been sought by sugar farmers to address the plummeting sugar prices.
Manuel Lamata, president of the United Sugar Producers Federation, asked for state intervention, stressing that them and the five million dependents of the sugar industry will clearly not be enjoying the holidays under the present conditions.
He expressed fear that many workers will be displaced and their families will go hungry.
“We know President Marcos’ heart is with and for the farmers as he has told us so, and we are calling for his intervention on this matter,” Lamata said.
Valderrama called on the Department of Agriculture to switch priorities by giving more importance to locally refined sugar.
“Compared to locally refined sugar, imported refined sugar is cheaper, and so it will deliver more profits for importers and traders. But how about the sugar farmers?” he asked, adding that it is the local sugar industry that is giving employment to millions of Filipinos.
Valderrama said they have also written to the President, asking for fuel subsidy, noting that the production inputs continue to rise even as sugar prices go down. | GB
