The Philippine Department of Agriculture has extended the import ban on sugar until December 2026. The decision follows assessments of domestic sugar production and market conditions, with the policy aimed at protecting local producers. The ban was maintained due to improved domestic raw sugar output and the need to stabilise the market. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, who also chairs the Sugar Board, stated that a longer moratorium than initially anticipated was necessary. The extension is intended to prioritise locally produced sugar and ensure market stability.
The Sugar Regulatory Administration’s monitoring of refinery operations will be intensified. The agency will focus on tracking inventories of standard and premium-grade refined sugar. This measure is designed to maintain accurate data on supply levels. The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that manufacturing output rose in October, with the value of the production index increasing 1.7 per cent year-on-year. The volume of production index rose 1.4 per cent from the previous month.
The growth in manufacturing was driven by a 16.8 per cent increase in computer, electronic, and optical products. This sector contributed 60.1 per cent to the overall rise in the manufacturing value index. Additional growth came from food products, basic pharmaceuticals, and pharmaceutical preparations. The expansion in manufacturing was supported by a rebound in wood, bamboo, cane, and rattan manufacturing, which rose 15.1 per cent annually.