SUGAR OUTPUT may hit 2 million metric tons (MMT) this crop year, according to the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA).
The new projection far exceeds the initial forecast of 1.782 MMT and the interim estimate of 1.840 MMT, the SRA said in a statement.
If the latest forecast is borne out, sugar production would exceed the preceding crop year’s output of 1.92 MMT.
“We were very prudent in our projection because we just came out of a very long drought due to the El Niño and yet, our cane recovered nicely. We’ve had stable sugar prices through most of this season,” SRA Administrator Pablo Luisa S. Azcona said.
The SRA attributed the new projection to increased planting and the distribution of high-yielding varieties.
It also cited the decision to move the start of harvest from August to October, which left the cane more mature when processed.
The industry is currently dealing with an infestation of red-striped soft scale insects, which could reduce sugar content by nearly 50%.
The infestation affected 841 hectares or 465 farmers as of June 6, up from 546 hectares on June 2. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza