Planters’ group opposes gov’t’s sugar import plan

The Asociacion de Agricultores de La Carlota y Pontevedra Inc. (AALCPI)—one of the largest groups of sugar planters in the country—has urged the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to rescind plans to import 200,000 metric tons of sugar, which will result in adverse impact on the local industry that has been grappling with high cost of fertilizers.

Importation while in the peak of milling season “will have a disastrous effect in the sugar industry, particularly among the small sugar producers,” said AALCPI president Roberto Cuenca in a statement.

AALCPI is the latest agricultural group to express opposition to the planned importation of standard and bottlers’ grade refined sugar as tight supply pushed wholesale and retail prices to record highs.

AALCPI claimed the SRA issued the recent order “without proper consultation” even though SRA administrator Hermenegildo Serafica knows their association, mostly composed of small sugar farmers, is one of the biggest groups of sugar farmers in the Philippines in terms of membership.

“[Serafica] also knows we are in the midst of milling season and any importation order now will have a ripple effect,” Cuenca said, backing other sugar federations’ statement that the issuance of the sugar order is “ill-timed.”

Import volume questioned

Aside from bad timing, the group likewise questioned the volume of sugar to be imported which, according to them, is “too big and definitely, should not have been granted at this time.”

Cuenca said that while most producers consulted by the SRA agreed to the importation, they proposed doing the procurement in tranches of 50,000 MT and implementing it at the end of the closing season.

He dismissed the SRA’s justification that procuring sugar abroad is aimed at ensuring balance between supply and demand and stabilizing prices, saying the government has yet to address their concerns on high cost of farm inputs.

Since late last year, sugar producers have been complaining about the soaring cost of fertilizers that have tripled in less than two years, coupled with rising fuel prices.

“Administrator Serafica should take time to consult small farmers so he can personally hear their appeal as many could not afford to even replant for the next crop year if this situation continues,” Cuenca said, adding that what is perceived as “high cost of sugar simply offsets high cost of farm inputs.”

AALCPI will not hesitate to join protest moves along with other sugar federations if their appeal will not be heeded, he added.