DA, SRA extend molasses import ban until March 2026

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) have extended the nationwide moratorium on molasses imports until March 30, 2026, to stabilize domestic prices and ease storage concerns, the SRA announced Wednesday.

The policy, outlined in Molasses Order No. 1, was first implemented in September and initially set to last until the end of 2024. It aimed to prevent market oversupply after prices plunged to below PHP 10,000 per metric ton in early November due to increased local production and anticipated imports.

A 21 percent increase in output during the last milling season contributed to the price decline, prompting calls from producers to regulate supply.

SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona recommended the extension to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel, citing sufficient national inventory and ongoing production in key milling areas such as Negros Island.

Azcona reported that local stocks currently stand at around 250,000 metric tons—enough to meet domestic demand. He added that milling operations began on October 1 and have already produced nearly 84,000 metric tons of molasses as of November 9.

“Based on the SRA’s recommendation, and in the interest of our farmers and millers, we have agreed to extend the moratorium on molasses imports until March 30, 2026—or longer, depending on stock levels,” Tiu-Laurel said.

Azcona explained that the moratorium would help relieve storage pressure on local mills and support better prices for domestic producers.

He said the DA and SRA will continue to monitor inventories and may adjust the moratorium as necessary.

Under the current policy, only locally produced molasses may be used for bioethanol production. Both local and imported molasses are allowed for use in food and beverage products, animal feed, vinegar, citric acid, and alcohol production.