Negros Occidental Rep. Javi Benitez warned that the Philippine sugar industry has already lost ₱7.28 billion due to overimportation, with potential losses reaching ₱20 billion by June 2026 if unchecked.
The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) imported 424,000 metric tons of sugar—far above the 150,000 MT recommended by local industry players—causing oversupply that drove cane and molasses prices down by 38% and 56%, respectively.
Benitez criticized the SRA for blaming a congressional hearing for low sugar prices instead of addressing policy failures that caused the market glut.
He explained that warehouses were already full, and the timing of imports coinciding with the milling season worsened the price collapse.
Meanwhile, recent gradual price increases to ₱2,300–₂,400 per 50-kg bag of sugar and over ₱9,000 per ton of molasses have provided some relief to farmers, prompting calls for long-term solutions to stabilize the industry.
Source: PhilNews24 | March 21, 2026
