The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) said the country’s sugar production is projected to reach 1.837 million metric tons (MT) this crop year, a slight increase of nearly five percent from the initial estimate of 1.782 million MT.

Despite the modest upward adjustment, the SRA is optimistic about improved yields in the next crop year. Current production is already 1.815 million MT, driven by better sugarcane tonnage per hectare.

“Despite the low sugar produced per ton of cane (LKGTC), we attribute the production to the increase in sugarcane tonnage per hectare planted,” SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said.

Azcona said the initial estimate was conservative as “this was based on the health and assessment of the sugarcane after the extreme El Niño” and added that research and development initiatives are beginning to pay off.

New varieties under dev’t

“We are ending on a positive note, and we can attribute this to the effort of this administration to prioritize research through development and propagation of new SRA sugarcane varieties, improving soil condition, irrigation, and even changing the sugarcane cropping calendar to better suit the climate are now paying off,” he said.

Regional data shows that the Visayas region accounts for 71 percent of total production. Of this, Negros Island contributes the largest share at 63 percent, followed by Panay with 6.3 percent. Cebu and Leyte plantations make up the rest.

Mindanao, regarded as the next frontier for the sugar industry, is projected to contribute nearly 24 percent of national output, while Luzon accounts for almost five percent.

Azcona also credited stable pricing policies introduced in recent years.

“Fair farm gate prices encouraged farmers to risk replanting their El Niño-damaged canes, using new SRA varieties as they were hopeful that prices would eventually make up for the very high cost of production.”

“Fair prices are also encouraging new farmers to plant sugarcane,” he added.

Looking ahead, Azcona expressed confidence in stronger output in the next milling season.

“We hope next milling we will get a bigger tonnage and most importantly, more sugar per ton of cane (LKGTC),” he said.

Mindanao currently has the highest average LKGTC at 1.74, followed by Negros at 1.65, and Panay and Luzon at 1.54.

Meanwhile, URC La Carlota Sugar Mill has concluded its milling operations, while Binalbagan-Isabela Sugar Company and URC SONEDCO are expected to end their milling season within the week.