The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) have extended Molasses Order No. 1, which imposes a moratorium on molasses imports, until the end of March 2026 to prevent further slips in farm-gate prices.
The ban, initially issued in September 2025 to halt imports until year-end, was prolonged due to a 21-percent increase in production last milling season. The oversupply, combined with incoming imports, had pushed local molasses prices down by nearly half to below P10,000 per metric ton in early November.
“Based on the recommendation of the SRA, and in the interest of our farmers and millers, Agriculture Secretary Tiu Laurel and SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona have agreed to extend the moratorium on molasses imports until March 30, 2026—or further, depending on local stock levels,” Tiu Laurel said.
Azcona noted that local stocks stand at about 250,000 metric tons, which is considered sufficient for domestic needs. Despite the restriction, he said inventories remained elevated, and the extension would help ease tank congestion for millers supporting better molasses prices.
Milling operations across Negros Island began on Oct. 1, 2025, with molasses output reaching almost 84,000 metric tons as of November 9, according to Azcona.
The DA and SRA may amend the moratorium as needed, depending on the total inventory. Currently, only locally produced molasses may be used for bioethanol production, while both local and imported molasses may be used for baking, confectionery, cooking, beverages, animal feeds, vinegar, citric acid and potable or sanitary alcohol.
