Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has approved the export of 100,000 metric tons of raw sugar to the United States to help lift falling farmgate prices by reducing domestic supplies.
The decision follows a proposal from the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) amid a 14 percent drop in farmgate prices, which fell to P2,174 per 50-kilogram bag as of December 2025.
The SRA noted that higher-than-expected sugar production and growing stockpiles—up to 430,713 MT from 245,892 MT last year—have contributed to downward price pressure.
Under the US quota system, the government plans to use a voluntary purchase program, allowing traders to buy local sugar at higher prices in exchange for guaranteed export allocations.
SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said the export is a “timely step” to balance supply and demand while providing immediate relief to sugar farmers.
Source: PhilNews24 | January 13, 2026
