Bacolod City: The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) announced Monday that sugar production for the 2024-2025 crop year is projected to increase by nearly five percent from earlier estimates, despite the challenges posed by the El Niño-induced drought, reported Philippine News Agency.
Based on the latest figures, sugar output is now expected to reach 1.837 million metric tons (MT), up from the initial forecast of 1.782 million MT.
“So far, we’ve produced 1.815 million metric tons of sugar,” SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said. “While the sugar yield per ton of cane is lower, the overall production rose due to more sugarcane harvested per hectare.”
Azcona explained that the earlier forecast was based on assessments made when the sugarcane had been severely affected by extreme weather conditions.
“We’re closing the season on a positive note, and much of this can be credited to the government’s consistent efforts to maintain stable prices since 2022,” he added.
He said stable farm gate prices gave farmers the confidence to replant damaged crops using new sugarcane varieties developed by the SRA.
“They were optimistic that the prices would help them recover from the high costs of production. In fact, these fair prices are also motivating new farmers to enter the industry,” Azcona said.
According to SRA data, the Visayas remains the country’s top sugar-producing region, contributing 71 percent of the total output. Negros Island leads with 63 percent, followed by Panay with 6.3 percent. Smaller contributions come from Cebu and Leyte.
Mindanao, described as a promising area for expansion in the sugar sector, is expected to account for nearly 24 percent of this year’s total output. Luzon is projected to contribute nearly 5 percent.
“We’re hoping for even better results in the next milling season — not just in tonnage, but more importantly, in sugar yield per ton of cane,” Azcona said.
At present, Mindanao holds the highest average sugar yield per ton of cane at 1.74. This is followed by Negros Island at 1.65, and both Panay and Luzon at 1.54.
Azcona noted that the SRA’s focus on research is starting to produce tangible results. Current initiatives include developing new sugarcane varieties, improving soil health, enhancing irrigation systems, and adjusting the planting calendar to align better with changing climate patterns.
