MANILA — The Department of Agriculture and the Sugar Regulatory Administration are coordinating with other government agencies to ensure sufficient fuel and fertilizer supply as the sugar sector enters the peak of the harvest season.

Officials said the move comes amid concerns that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could disrupt global petroleum supplies, potentially affecting key farm inputs used by sugar producers.

Fuel demand typically increases during the most intensive stage of the harvest cycle, when farmers simultaneously harvest sugarcane, transport it to mills, and prepare their fields for the next crop. Farm operations such as tractor-driven land preparation, irrigation, and hauling activities rely heavily on fuel.

At the same time, farmers begin applying fertilizer in preparation for the next planting cycle, further increasing demand for agricultural inputs.

SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said the agency has asked the assistance of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. to raise the industry’s concerns with the Department of Energy and other relevant agencies.

“We have asked the help of Secretary Tiu-Laurel to bring the problems of our sugar farmers caused by the Middle East conflict to the DOE and other government agencies,” Azcona said.

The concern was initially raised by David Sanson, who asked sugar federations last week to submit recommendations on possible government intervention if global tensions lead to supply disruptions or price increases in petroleum-based farm inputs.

Tiu Laurel said the government recognizes the importance of maintaining stable supplies of key agricultural inputs.

“We will work to ensure a stable supply of fuel and fertilizer, as well as other inputs—not only for sugar farmers but for all Filipino farmers and fisherfolks,” he said.

Industry officials said stabilizing these inputs during the harvest peak is essential to sustaining production and preventing cost pressures from affecting the country’s sugar supply chain.