July 7, 2025
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/07/07/raw-sugar-output-rise-continues/
THE country’s raw sugar output continues to climb, reaching 2.063 million metric tons (MMT) as of June 22, based on the latest data from the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA).
Latest figures from the SRA have surpassed the 1.92 MMT sugar production posted in the previous crop year.
It also exceeded the agency’s initial and revised forecast of 1.7 MMT and 1.84 MMT, respectively, for the current crop year, which will end on August 31.
Historical data from the PSA showed that the latest raw sugar output is the highest since the 2.14 MMT recorded in crop year 2020-2021.
Department of Agriculture (DA) officials said the government’s decision to amend the start of the cropping calendar to October from August had helped increase sugar production.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the shift was more apt to the country’s climatic conditions and cane maturity and led to an improvement in soil productivity.
To sustain the growth in production in the next crop year, Laurel called on the sugar agency to quickly contain the spread of red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI).
Task force
SRA data showed that around 2,332 hectares in Visayas have been affected by the RSSI as of July 2, significantly larger than the 87 hectares recorded on May 22 when it was initially declared an infestation.
It has also affected 1,326 farmers since its detection in Negros, which makes up for over half of the country’s sugar output.
Meanwhile, the SRA said it will conduct a specialized training for local agriculturists, representatives from affected local governments, DA, and Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), and stakeholders as part of efforts to curb the spread of RSSI. The session will take place in Bacolod City on July 14.
The training aims to equip participants with the knowledge and skills for early detection, prevention, and monitoring of RSSI infestations, which would support efforts to eradicate the pest.
SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said the RSSI is still spreading, but last week’s monitoring showed “only a slight increase compared to previous weeks,” which could be due to high awareness of RSSI and planters having started their own intervention.
However, Azcona added that SRA’s data is based on validated ocular inspections and the figure could still be higher since there are sugar farmers who are not reporting the presence of RSSI in their farms.
RSSI has been reported to cause significant damage to sugarcanes, which could potentially slash sugar content of infested canes by up to 50 percent, based on studies.