MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) clarified that the ban on sugar importation will remain in effect until December next year, instead of September when the current crop year ends, extending protection for local producers amid improving supply conditions.

“Based on the current outlook for sugar production and demand, a longer import moratorium than initially suggested is necessary,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said.

Tiu Laurel cited stronger domestic raw sugar output, stressing that the policy is aimed at prioritizing locally produced sugar and stabilizing the market.

As chair of the Sugar Board, the policymaking body of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), Tiu Laurel said the agency will intensify monitoring of refinery operations to maintain an accurate assessment of standard and premium-grade refined sugar inventories. He said close tracking is critical to preventing supply distortions and speculative pricing.

Beyond the import ban, the DA and SRA are finalizing a long-delayed regulatory framework governing molasses imports to further protect domestic producers.

Under the proposed rules, molasses users will be required to first purchase and withdraw locally produced molasses. Only after these requirements are met, and based on a predetermined ratio, will imports be allowed, subject to SRA approval.

The planned system mirrors the earlier Sugar Order No. 2 mechanism, which linked export and import privileges to actual purchases of local sugar. According to Tiu Laurel, the approach reduced discretion in allocations, curtailed corruption risks, and increased demand for domestically produced sugar, helping raise farmgate prices.

With the extended import ban and tighter rules on molasses imports, the DA is signaling a more assertive approach to sugar policy focused on data-driven regulation, preventing market abuse, and prioritizing local producers.