BACOLOD City – Sugarcane planters have welcomed the increase in mill gate prices for sugar.
From P2,600 per 50-kilogram (kg) bag in February, the rate surpassed the P2,800 mark by mid-March.
This increase has provided significant relief to farmers amid the challenges brought on by the drought associated with the El Niño phenomenon, according to the United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines (UNIFED).
Manuel Lamata, president of UNIFED and based in this city, said the current sugar prices offer substantial relief to planters who are also grappling with issues caused by El Niño.
Known as the country’s sugar capital, Negros Occidental saw its bidding prices at at least seven sugar mills range from P2,801 to P2,856 per 50-kg bag for the week ending March 10.
Lamata expressed gratitude towards the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., and the chief of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), Pablo Luis Azcona, for their efforts in achieving higher mill gate prices.
“We are greatly indebted to Secretary Laurel and Administrator Azcona, as well as to our planters’ representative on the SRA Board, Dave Sanson, who provided solutions to our issues with the low mill gate prices at the beginning of the milling season,” he added./PN
