BACOLOD City — The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) have agreed to extend Molasses Order No. 1, which imposes a moratorium on molasses importation, until the end of March next year.
Issued in September, the order originally suspended molasses imports only until the end of 2025 to prevent farmgate prices from falling further.
A 21-percent increase in molasses production during the previous milling season—combined with additional imported volumes—drove prices down by almost half, dropping to below P10,000 per metric ton in early November.
In his recommendation to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel, SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said the extension is necessary, noting that local stock levels remain high at around 250,000 metric tons, which he said is “more than sufficient for current domestic demand.”
Azcona also reported that milling operations on Negros Island began on October 1, with molasses output reaching nearly 84,000 metric tons as of November 9.
“Based on the SRA’s recommendation and in the interest of our farmers and millers, Administrator Azcona and I have agreed to extend the moratorium on molasses imports until March 30, 2026—or further, depending on local stock levels,” Secretary Tiu-Laurel announced.
Despite the suspended imports, Azcona noted that local stocks remain elevated. “The extension will help decongest millers’ storage tanks and, hopefully, support stronger molasses prices,” he said.
The DA and SRA said the moratorium may still be adjusted depending on overall inventory levels.
Under current regulations, only locally produced molasses may be used for bioethanol production. Both local and imported molasses, however, may be used for baking, confectionery, cooking, beverages, animal feeds, vinegar, citric acid, and potable and sanitary alcohol production, among other uses./PN
