The Department of Agriculture (DA) is optimistic the Philippines will achieve sugar self-sufficiency within a few years, following a significant increase in production during the current crop year.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced that raw sugar production reached 2.015 million metric tons as of June 8, 2025.
This surpasses the Sugar Regulatory Administration’s (SRA) earlier projection of 1.7 million metric tons by more than 300,000 metric tons, or the equivalent of 6 million bags of sugar.
“This steady increase under the current administration proves that, with the right conditions and sustained support, the sugar industry has the potential to meet the country’s domestic demand of 2.3 million metric tons,” Laurel said.
In the previous crop year, output stood at 1.922 million metric tons, while the 2022–2023 crop year yielded 1.799 million metric tons.
This marks a recovery from earlier production disruptions caused by climate and supply issues. The last time the industry exceeded 2 million metric tons was in the 2020–2021 crop year, when it produced 2.14 million metric tons.
The DA secretary attributed the continued improvement to several key factors, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s approval to gradually shift the sugarcane cropping calendar.
Starting in the 2025 harvest season, the calendar will move from August to October 1. This adjustment is expected to better align planting and harvesting with optimal climate and crop maturity periods.
Other contributing factors include enhanced soil productivity, improved sugarcane varieties, better coordination among producers, increased government support, and ongoing reforms in farm management.
“The concern and effort of government under President Marcos and Secretary Tiu Laurel is the biggest in SRA’s history, and we’re seeing the results,” said SRA administrator Pablo Luis Azcona.
“We will continue working on improving soil quality, cane varieties, irrigation, and mechanization.”
Azcona said rising production, alongside stable sugarcane prices, has been beneficial to farmers.
