DA to issue order to import 200,000 tons of refined sugar in July—Laurel
By Jel Santos

The Department of Agriculture (DA) will release a special order (SO) that will allow the importation of 200,000 metric tons (MT) of refined sugar next month.
DA Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel Jr. said the importation is vital to ensure ample supply of sugar and price stability in the country.
“I’m planning, kung magkakaroon tayo yung importation sa sugar, dapat by September, may arrival tayo at least 200,000 tons (I’m planning that if we are going to import sugar, we should have an arrival of at least 200,000 tons by September),” Laurel said during an interview with agriculture beat reporters on Wednesday night, June 26, in Makati City.
According to Laurel, the sugar supply in the country will decrease by August-September, making it necessary to import.
“So we have to have gap sugar, 200,000 tons at least by September-October,” he added.
He said the agriculture department has been discussing this matter with sugar producers for six months.
Laurel mentioned that he plans to meet with the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) on either July 10 or 11 to further discuss the matter.
The DA chief said that the price of sugar in the country is currently in the range of P75 to P80 per kilo.
As of June 26, refined sugar's retail prices, per the DA's monitoring, range from P74 to P92 per kilo in Metro Manila.