Sugar milling starts September 15

Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Administrator Paul Azcona said milling of sugar this crop year will start on September 15.

Azcona said that it will be a slow start as some big planters’ sugarcane are not yet ready for milling.

“They even asked to start the milling season on October 1, however there are also planters who said that they are ready for milling,” he also said.

Despite the El Niño phenomenon that affected some sugarcane plantations, Azcona said sugarcane have already recovered so that they expect to maintain the same production as last crop year.

Some planters opted to cut their sugarcane for replanting or sold their canepoints at good prices of up to P10,000 per lacsa (10,000 pieces) so that milling would be delayed from one to two months, he added.

As to the farm gate prices of sugar, Azcona said while P3,000 per lkg or 50 kilo-bag would be good, “however it would put more pressure to the government as it could result to higher retail price of sugar. The retail price is closely monitored. Price now is stable from P2,600 to P2,800 that no movement has been monitored in retail prices,” Azcona said.

The price is determined once the SRA comes out with an order.

As to the 200,000 metric tons sugar importation, Azcona said this will be decided by Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. after their meeting last August 6. He said most of those complaining against the importation did not show up and that the refiners cannot give an exact date of refining and that premium refined sugar stocks would be until December this year only.

So there is insecurity for industrial users and the government as to the stability of refined sugar, Azcona also added.*