The Sugar Regulatory Administration expressed confidence Friday that sugar production for crop year 2017-2018 will provide ample supply to meet local demand and fulfill the country’s commitment to US exports under a quota system.
SRA administrator Hermenegildo Serafica said he had visited sugar mills in Luzon and the Visayas to personally witness standing sugarcane crop and check on operations and production in the areas.
“We have the canes (to mill), but the problem besetting the industry at the moment is the scarcity of cane cutters. The canes have to be harvested and brought to the central for milling. That is why some mills may end much later in the crop year, around June or July, and others to start earlier to take advantage of the remaining canes,” he said.
Latest report showed that sugar production reached 1,925,820 metric tons as of the production week ending May 6, 2018. Only 340,594 MT are needed to reach the agency’s production target of 2.27 million MT.
“It is very apparent that in a few weeks, well be able to meet this target,” Serafica said.
Some planters, meanwhile, are on their second crop of sugarcanes for the crop year. Sugarcane crop year begins on September 1 and ends August 31 of the following year.
This translated into more available canes to be milled and additional supply for the market, said Serafica.
The SRA is closely monitoring the supply situation and is prepared to stabilize supply and to curb speculation.
The agency is tasked to regulate the industry to ensure a balance between sugar supply and domestic requirements.