Sugar producers: Imports can cover El Niño-rainy season gap

United Sugar Producers Federation President Manuel Lamata supported the decision to import sugar during the “gap” between the El Niño and the rainy season.

In a dzBB interview on Sunday, Lamata said El Niño created exceptionally dry conditions that affected sugar production.

He said the current season was something he had never seen before, and that he wasn’t sure that farmers could recover.

“If you look at crops, talagang maaawa ka. Talagang parang sunog eh. It is really dried up. Hindi ko alam kung makaka-recover pa kahit umulan... Really really bad,” Lamata added.

(If you look at crops, you’ll feel pity. It's like it's been burned. It is dried up. I don’t know if they can recover even if it rains… Really, really bad.)

The situation may have delayed the production of sugar.

Nevertheless, he was sure that farmers would begin to replant once the rain arrived. But there would be a “gap” while waiting for the harvest, during which imports could enter the market.

“Kapag umulan pa sa mga susunod na linggo, umpisa na ng pagtatanim. Nakita ko sa ground na talagang kulang pangtawid… Tama ang [mungkahing mag-angkat ng] 185,000 to 200,000 metric tons ng asukal,” he said.

(If it rains within the next few weeks, the replanting will begin. I saw on the ground that there would be a lack of supply… The call to import 185,000 to 200,000 metric tons of sugar is correct).

Meanwhile, according to Mav Gonzales' Sunday 24 Oras Weekend report, sugar farmers urged the Agriculture Department to focus on providing irrigation equipment to counter the effects of the El Niño.

GMA Integrated News had sought comment from the DA and the Sugar Regulatory Administration but they had yet to respond as of this posting. — DVM, GMA Integrated News