Food, beverage manufacturers cheer sugar import plan

A group of food and beverage manufacturers has welcomed the Duterte administration’s move to import 200,000 metric tons of refined sugar that has earned the ire of sugar farmers.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Philippine Chamber of Food Manufacturers, Inc. (PCFMI) cited the “urgent need” for importation to cover the lack of refined sugar that conforms with the quality requirements of food manufacturers.

“Existing sugar stocks for food manufacturing are dwindling, and therefore importation under the circumstances is necessary,” it added.

PCFMI said some of its members reported that their current stocks of refined sugar will be exhausted as early as March.

“These suppliers have informed our members that the destruction to crops caused by Typhoon “Odette” (Rai) last December damaged refineries and refined stocks, thus affecting local sugar supply. Also, affected refineries ceased production for a month until power was restored,” the food chamber said.

According to the group, the country has more than 20 raw sugar mills but only seven refineries produce refined sugar. Of these, only four can supply to major food manufacturers.

“Moreover, the lack of available containers and the congestion at the ports of Bacolod and Manila have further aggravated the sugar supply situation,” it said.