THE Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has advised the Philippine Sugar Millers Association Inc. (PSMA) to move back the milling season, citing the benefit of higher yields.
SRA chief Pablo Luis Azcona, in a speech at the Philippine Sugar Technologies Association Inc. Convention in Cebu on August 15, requested PSMA President Terence Uygongco to encourage sugar millers to collectively agree to start the milling season for crop year 2024-2025 on October 1. This means a two-week delay from September 15, the date originally set by some mills in Negros Island.
The PSMA is composed of 16 member-mills, producing 78 percent of the country’s total sugar production.
Azcona said moving this year’s sugar milling season to October will lead to better sugarcane maturity and possibly a higher volume of harvest, with the impact of El Niño factored in.
“In recent communications, the SRA reiterated this date and suggested a uniform start for all mills,” the PSMA noted in a statement. “While the association does not have the authority to change the start [of the milling] date, it will encourage mills to consider the delay.”
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