Sari-sari stores, carinderia owners say softdrinks shortage hurting their sales

Sari-sari stores and carinderia owners are also reeling from the effects of sugar supply shortage in the country which has affected the availability of softdrinks — a key driver of their sales.

In a statement on Thursday, the Philippine Association of Stores and Carinderia Owners (PASCO) said wholesalers have informed their members to expect insufficient deliveries of softdrinks and other beverages that could last for three months or longer.

“Talagang malaki ang epekto sa kinikita naming mga tindahan sa aming pangkalahatang kabuhayan ang kakulangan ng sapat na produktong mabenta sa aming mga suki at mamimili,” PASCO said.

(The shortage of products that we can sell to our patrons and customers has a huge effect on our sales and overall livelihoods.)

“Kung kaya nais naming iparating sa mga kinauukulan ang aming sitwasyon, at kung maari po sana ay magawan ng solusyon sa lalong madaling panahon ang kakulangan ng produktong inumin dulot ng kakulangan sa asukal. Para na rin po ito sa aming kabuhayan at kinabukasan ng aming pamilya,” it said.

(This is why we want to bring to our authorities’ attention our current situation, so that they can find a solution as soon as possible to the insufficiency of beverage products caused by supply shortage of sugar. This is also for our livelihoods and families’ future.)

PASCO said store owners have noticed the dwindling stocks of softdrinks and beverages arriving in their stores.

Top softdrinks makers Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc., Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc., and ARC Refreshments Corp. confirmed that the bottling industry is facing a shortage of premium refined sugar — a key ingredient in making their products. 

Sugar is on the spotlight following the controversial issuance of Sugar Order No. 4 (SO4), authorizing the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar that was later on deemed “illegal” as it was signed without the knowledge and expressed approval of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who as the concurrent secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA) also sits as the chairman of the Sugar Board.

Sugar industry stakeholders have lauded the rejection of SO 4, saying it was “ill-advised” as the sugar milling season is about to start and some of the sugar imported early this year are in the warehouses of industrial users.

The controversy over the order compelled Agriculture Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian, who signed on Marcos’ behalf, to resign.

Sugar Regulatory Administration Administrator Hermenegildo Serafica and Sugar Board member Atty. Roland Beltran also tendered their respective resignations in the aftermath of the SO4 controversy.

Marcos, over the weekend, said there may be a need to import sugar come October, but that it would not be as much as the earlier reported 300,000 metric tons. He said it would around 150,000 metric tons for the full year. 

Latest data from the DA show that prices of refined sugar were recorded at P100.00 per kilogram, washed sugar at P75.00 per kilogram, and brown sugar at P70.00 per kilogram in Metro Manila as of August 12, 2022.

The DA earlier said there is a shortage of about 300,000 metric tons of sugar as local production was affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Odette late last year. —KBK, GMA News