The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced a temporary moratorium on all sugar importation until mid-2026 in a bid to stabilize the domestic sugar market.
In a statement on Wednesday, October 15, the DA said no sugar imports will be allowed before the current milling season ends, which is expected around May or June 2026.
The decision was reached in a meeting among Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr., Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Administrator Paul Azcona, and SRA Board Member and Farmers’ Representative Dave Sanson.
The meeting was called following the unusually low prices of raw sugar recorded during the first sugar bidding in Negros on October 9.
While weekly sugar biddings are standard during the 38-week harvest season, the DA noted that traders had shown hesitation amid speculation about potential imports.
“Let us be clear—there is, and never was, any talk of an importation program for Crop Year 2025-2026 until we finish significant milling, have firm production figures, and ensure any imports would only be classified as C or reserve sugar,” said Azcona and Laurel, according to the DA’s statement.
The officials also agreed to maintain a two-month buffer stock of refined sugar to ensure supply stability while protecting local producers from price disruptions.
According to the DA, any future sugar imports will be strictly classified as reserve sugar and will not be allowed to enter the domestic market directly.
“This move assures our farmers that the current administration prioritizes their welfare. It’s a welcome development, and we hope this stabilizes prices now that speculation has been addressed,” Sanson said in a statement.
Since 2022, the total area planted with sugarcane has grown from 380,000 hectares to 409,000 hectares, reflecting renewed confidence in the local sugar industry.
