The Department of Agriculture (DA) suggested on Monday, July 18, to start sugar importation amid soaring sugar prices and market demand.
The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) said there is a possibility of sugar supply scarcity by the end of July. Based on the monitoring of DA, the regular price of P70.00 per kilo of refined sugar had increased by P20.00.
In a recent meeting between the DA and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the department recommended starting sugar importation to “balance” the supply in the country.
DA Undersecretary Kristine Evangelista said sugar is a “commodity” that needs to be “addressed” to “steady prices” in the country.
Meanwhile, Evangelista said they had a meeting with SRA to discuss the recommendation.
“We are scheduling a stakeholders meeting within the week kasi they have to discuss yung sa sugar order and this would have to be given to the stakeholders. Meron na pong mga recommendation ang SRA” she said.
“We want to make sure that if and when an additional importation of sugar happens, yung ating mga consumers are well-protected, at the same time, ‘yung ating mga sugar producers hindi naman madedehado,” she added.
The DA will also discuss with Marcos controlling palm oil price increase, as well as improving coconut production and helping coconut farmers in the country. —Report from Louisa Erispe/KC-ag
