Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday assured that there will be no sugar importation until the first half of 2026 to help protect local sugarcane farmers. The DA made the statement to ensure reasonable buying prices of raw sugar, following reported low levels during the first sugar bidding in Negros last Oct. 9.

According to Philippines News Agency, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. stated that importation plans, if there are any, will strictly cover reserve sugar. ‘Let us be clear — there is, and never was, any talk of an importation program for Crop Year 2025-2026 until we finish significant milling, have firm production figures, and ensure any imports would only be classified as C or reserve sugar,’ he said. He also assured that imported sugar will not directly enter the domestic market to protect the local sugarcane industry.

Besides the DA, the Sugar Regulatory Administration noted that import plans will not proceed until the end of the ongoing milling season. The milling season is expected to be completed from May to June next year, according to the DA. ‘This move assures our farmers that the current administration prioritizes their welfare. It’s a welcome development, and we hope this stabilizes prices now that speculation has been addressed,’ Farmers’ Representative Dave Sanson said.

To date, the country has recorded a continuous expansion of areas planted to sugarcane, which is now at 409,000 hectares from 380,000 hectares in 2022.