SRA mulls additional sugar importation

MANILA, Philippines - The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) is considering the possibility of importing an additional 100,000 metric tons (MT) of sugar to meet a possible shortfall in domestic sugar during the lean months starting July.

This was learned from SRA head Bernardo C. Trebol who said the Philippines has secured an additional export quota allocation from the United States amounting to 24,571 MT. This is on top of an earlier additional allocation of 11,706 MT, and apart from the regular 136,000 MT exported by the Philippines to the US last year.

Trebol explained that the additional export quota allocation to the US would be filled despite an expected lower 2010-2011 sugar production of just 1.9 million MT.

With the additional US sugar quota allocation, Trebol said there might be a shortfall in domestic supply during the lean months starting in July this year.

Thus, the SRA is seeking permission from its board to import an additional 100,000 MT on top of the 150,000 MT that the SRA board had previously approved for importation.