The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) announced Thursday the suspension of an order setting the guidelines on importation of fructose and other sugar alternatives amid complaints from the local industry.
The SRA said it suspended Sugar Order 6 (SO) which sets guidelines for the importation of certain sugars and sugar confectionery, pending further consultations with industry representatives.
SRA chief Pablo Azcona said the agency’s board made the decision during a meeting on Jan. 23, in response to concerns raised by importers.
“We have received letters and are actively reaching out to set up meetings with the concerned groups,” Azcona said.
He said the Department of Agriculture (DA) was tasked to facilitate further discussions with stakeholders.
Azcona said two key issues were identified during the consultation process including concerns about processing delays and the associated costs of compliance.
Azcona reassured the industry that the SRA processes over a thousand sugar-related import clearances each year, with typical processing times averaging just two to three working days.
“We have been issuing import clearances for fructose under the same 1702 code since 2017, and there have been no reports of delays or disruptions to business operations,” he said.
Azcona said the processing fee for sugar imports under SO 6 is minimal, amounting to P0.06 per kilogram, which represents about 0.08 percent of the total cost of importing other sugars.
He said to further streamline the process, the SRA is set to launch an online portal for applications.
Azcona said the goal of SO 6 is to provide accurate data for better supply and demand planning, ultimately benefiting both local farmers and consumers.
“SRA and the DA are very careful that policies made do not affect the consumers as well,” said Azcona.
“Again, their fears are unfounded as these are all speculative at the moment, since the order has not been implemented yet, and we welcome the opportunity to sit with them and find solutions to their concerns,” he said.