AMID the current sugar shortage in the country, the Pangasinan-based Samahang Industriya at Agrikuktura (SINAG) foresees stabilization of sugar prices next month of October with the start of the sugar harvest season and the first arrival of shipment of 150,000 metric tons of sugar imported by the government.

SINAG President Rosendo So said based on his group’s monitoring, he expects the price of sugar to drop to P65 to P70 from the present P84 to P90 per kilo this month.

Current monitoring by the Department of Agriculture showed price of sugar today is P95 per kilo for refined sugar, P75 per kilo for washed sugar and P70 per kilo for brown sugar.

The arrival of part of the 150,000 metric tons of imported sugar under Sugar Order No. 2 approved by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to increase the current sugar stock in the country, ensuring lower price of the commodity in the market.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry also warned of the possible increase in the prices of beverages and processed food products that may force its members in the industry to adjust costs.

The country’s top producers of sweetened beverages are currently experiencing shortage of premium refined sugar which is the key ingredients in many of their products.

These include  the Coca-Cola Beverages Inc., Pepsi Cola Products, Inc., and ARC  Refreshment Corporation.

Several Coca-Cola Bottling Plants in various parts of the country have suspended operations due to shortage of  “bottlers’ grade refined sugar.”  (Leonardo Micua)

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