Sugar over-importation probe urged

A SENATOR on Thursday filed a resolution seeking to investigate alleged mismanagement in sugar regulation resulting in its over-importation.

In Senate Resolution No. 369, Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito asked the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform to conduct an inquiry on a possible sugar over-importation.

“Excessive or poorly timed importation resulted in oversupply in the domestic market, depressed farmgate prices, and reduced income for local farmers and mill workers,” the resolution read.

Data from the Sugar Regulation Authority, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA) has shown that the Philippines has 668,405 metric tons of sugar stock as of March 22 which is 99,534 metric tons higher compared to the previous year’s supply.

Mr. Ejercito, in the resolution, said this marks a “significant increase” in domestic supply which may lead to the decline of farmgate prices.

“There is a need to review existing policies and the basis for determining the timing and volume of sugar importation to ensure that such policies remain responsive to present challenges and promote long-term sustainability,” the resolution stated.

In 2025, the DA put sugar imports on hold until December this year to prioritize domestic raw sugar and raise the product’s farmgate prices. — Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel