Sugar output seen remaining at 2.3 M MT

MANILA, Philippines - Domestic sugar production is expected to reach 2.3 million metric tons (MT) in the coming crop year as a stronger El Nino is expected to hit the country, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) said.

SRA administrator Ma. Regina Martin said production for sugar crop year 2015-2016 is seen to be in the same range as the total production of 2.32 million MT in the current crop year.

Sugar crop year in the Philippines starts in September and ends in August.

“For the incoming crop year, our target will be roughly the same as our final output of 2.316 million MT,” Martin said.

This production estimate is still expected to cover domestic demand for the sweetener of around 2.25 million MT based on per capita consumption of 25 kilograms.

The SRA is expected to release the official sugar allocation for crop year 2015-2016 next week.

The prevailing dry spell is seen to peak in the fourth quarter and is seen to linger until the next summer season.