April 20, 2026
By Ada Pelonia
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2026/04/20/molasses-prices-rebound-as-sra-tightens-import-rules/
Millsite molasses prices have recovered to P11,000 per metric ton (MT) as of end-March following the temporary import ban slapped on raw sugar byproducts.
Data from the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) showed that the millsite price of molasses inched up by 1.3 percent to P11,216.67 per MT, from the P11,073.61 per MT recorded in the same period last year.
The latest molasses price was the highest recorded since the P12,133.33 per MT posted last October 5, before it declined to a low of P10,464.29 per MT in the same month.
The steady decline of the raw sugar byproduct prompted the SRA to slap a temporary ban on molasses imports as part of efforts to prop up millsite prices.
The ban had been extended until the end of March in its bid to relieve local stocks and provide better prices, with shipments having resumed since April 1.
Officials had cited the buildup of local molasses stocks that coincided with the surge in foreign shipments of the product last year as the reason behind the moratorium.
Industry sources also pinned “overimportation” as the cause behind the slide in millsite prices of molasses.
Local supply of molasses as of March 29 stood at 741,539.56 MT, down by 5.33 percent from the 783,283.63 MT a year ago, based on SRA data.
Meanwhile, the SRA issued Molasses Order (MO) 2 last January, directing eligible traders to purchase and withdraw local molasses first before they could import.
Given the substantial stockpile of molasses and its continuing production, the SRA said it “deemed it necessary to implement a purchase of locally produced molasses to avail of the privilege to import molasses.”
Under the order, traders who participated will be allowed to import at a ratio of 3 (locally produced molasses purchased): 1 (imported molasses).
However, the agency raised a caveat that it could allow additional volume of molasses shipments if deemed necessary.