Group backs planned importation of 150,000 MT of sugar

Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) | FILE PHOTO

BACOLOD CITY — A sugar producers’ group supports the planned importation program of 150,000 metric tons of refined sugar proposed by the current Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) board.

The United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines (UNIFED) led by its president Manuel Lamata said he wants to announce his personal support for the 150,000 MT import plan after three other sugar federations and the millers’ group recommended the importation of 300,000 MT, similar to what the former SRA board had pushed.

READ: Bongbong Marcos did not oppose proposed sugar importation program, says DA execs

Lamata was referring to last week’s joint statement issued by the Confederation of Sugar Producers (CONFED), the National Federation of Sugar Planters (NFSP), PanayFed, and the Philippine Sugar Millers Association (PSMA).

“Have these federations converted to being sugar traders? Logic dictates that if the 300,000 MT of imported sugar they are proposing reaches our country by November or December, which is the peak of our milling season, for sure millgate prices will collapse,” Lamata said.

“Are these sugar groups still protecting the interests of their planters?” he added.

READ: PH importing sugar after all: Marcos okays 150,000 MT

Lamata also said it is ironic for these federations to extend their hand of support to the new SRA Board yet, “it just a couple of days, they are trying to publicly undermine the new leadership.”

He said he calls on fellow planters to “join us in UNIFED because we remain a pro-planters federation who will protect your livelihood and interest in the sugar industry.”

RELATED STORY

Hontiveros sees ‘many powerful forces at play’ in 300,000 MT sugar import mess