Two leaders of the sugar industry expressed differing opinions on Sunday, January 4, about the outlook for millgate sugar prices in 2026, after prices showed no increase in December, reports Digicast Negros.
Manuel Lamata, president of the United Sugar Producers Federation (UNIFED), said the outlook would improve once the Department of Agriculture carries out its export and import programme. He said this move would help raise millgate prices and benefit sugarcane growers.
Lamata encouraged farmers to continue cultivating sugarcane, saying price fluctuations are a regular part of the industry. He noted that periods of rise and fall have always been part of the sugar sector and should not discourage farmers from planting.
In contrast, Enrique Rojas, president of the National Federation of Sugarcane Planters (NFSP), said that while the organisation hopes for better prices for farmers, current demand and supply figures do not give much confidence. He said millgate sugar prices remained between P2,200 and P2,300 per bag throughout December and have stayed within that range since the beginning of the current crop year.
Rojas said concerns have been raised about the serious impact of low millgate prices on small-scale sugarcane farmers. Citing the latest Sugar Regulatory Administration report dated November 30, 2025, he said raw sugar stocks in the country stood at around 370,000 metric tonnes, while refined sugar stocks were at 416,612 metric tonnes.
He explained that the refined sugar stock includes about 350,000 metric tonnes of imported sugar, consisting of remaining imports from the 2023–2024 period and imports brought in under Sugar Order No. 8 for 2024–2025.
Rojas said that even after accounting for demand and supply in December, the country is expected to begin 2026 with nearly 300,000 metric tonnes of raw sugar and about 350,000 metric tonnes of refined sugar in stock.
He also pointed out that nearly all sugar mills across the country are now operating. He said that from February to March, mills are expected to run at full capacity and reach peak production levels.
