The increased prices of fertilisers and petroleum has affected the sugar producers in the country, said Dino Yulo, former board member of Sugar Regulatory Authority (SRA) on Friday.
This will increase the production cost of the sugar industry which will impact Negros Occidental having a mono-crop economy, he said.
Yulo issued a press statement citing that the price of urea has jumped by 255% in a year and a half. The cost of a 50-kilo (LKg) bag was P900 18 months ago which is now sold for P, 2300-2400 per bag.
The sugarcane farms of Negros Occidental represent 53% of the 423,333 hectares used by the industry throughout the country.
The hike in two important farm inputs would impact the sugar industry severely, he said.
