Sugar import ban stays until December 2026

By DA Press Office

THE ban on sugar importation would stay until December 2026– not September as reported– to extend the protection for local sugar producers in view of improving supply conditions, the Department of Agriculture said.

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

In view of strong domestic raw sugar output, 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)— Laurel said DA will step up monitoring of refinery operations to maintain an accurate picture of standard and premium-grade refined sugar inventories. 

Close tracking, he added, is critical to preventing supply distortions and speculative pricing.

Beside the import ban, the DA and SRA are also finalizing a long-delayed regulatory framework on molasses imports, to further shield domestic producers. 

Under the proposed rules, molasses users will first be required to purchase and withdraw locally produced molasses. Only after those obligations are met—and based on a predetermined ratio— shall imports be considered, subject to SRA approval.

The planned system echoes the earlier Sugar Order No. 2 mechanism, which tied export and import privileges to actual purchases of local sugar. This approach reduces discretion in allocations, curtails corruption risks, and boosts demand for domestically produced sugar—ultimately helping raise farmgate prices, he asserted.

With the extended import ban and tighter rules on molasses, the DA is signaling a more assertive stance on sugar policy, which leans on data, curbs market abuse, and puts local producers first.  (with report from SRA)