SUGARCANE production towards the close of the crop season has hit 2.48 million metric tons, nearing the government’s 2.5 million target.
Preliminary data from the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) posted on its website indicate the production total as of July 9.
The SRA has revised its target upward after estimates exceeded the initial 2.25 million target which is higher than the 2.23 million metric tons output in the last crop year.
All mills are expected to have concluded their operations by the third week of the month.
The increased production is attributed to improved weather conditions as crops recover from the damage of the El Niño-induced dry spell seen last year.
Meanwhile, millsite prices of domestic refined sugar as of July 9 fell to P1,345.58, per 50 kilogram bag, significantly lower than the P1,784.92 at the start of the crop year.
The sugar season runs from September to August the next year. — Janina C. Lim
