|
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Don't panic, sugar prices remain stable
By Erwin Ambo S. Delilan
WHO says that the sugar industry is in crisis?
For the Confederation of Sugar Producers (Confed) Negros-Panay chapter, there is no need for the public to panic over "conflicting" reports on sugar pricing and projection losses for the industry.
Confed Negros-Panay is one of the groups that has the most number of sugar producer members in the country.
Its president, Luis Tongoy said, "There is no cause for alarm. The domestic prices of sugar are still lower than that in the world market, which would have a landed cost of more than P1,000 per bag."
"There is no need to fear. Most sugar-producing countries have clamped down on sugar exports because of tightness in sugar supply at the local level. Most sugar-producing countries are converting their sugar supply to energy source," he also said.
Confed, in a statement, also said as long as the sugar price remains above P1,000 per bag, the public has nothing to worry about.
"It is still okay. Besides, that is the real market price," the Confed statement added.
The price of P1,000 per bag still gives a profitable margin in the present sugar trading.
The only problem, the statement reads, is when the prices go down.
"This becomes inequitable for sugar producers because the production costs have also risen," it also reads.
However, a sugarcane planter in Bago City (name withheld on request) said a sugar pricing of over P1,000 per bag will be "disadvantageous" to the consuming public.
He explained that if it were only at producer's price, retail prices would jack up.
"The common people will be affected by this," the source said.
At present, retail prices of refined sugar in the local market ranges from P32 to P34 per kilo. Brown sugar is at P27 to P28 per kilo.
"This is too much for the ordinary consumer...the ordinary people will be the ones to get affected," the source added.
This planter will also call for the resignation of Sugar Regulatory Administration executive James Ledesma should he fail to perform his job well.
"Ledesma is supposed to regulate sugar production, trading and retailing for the fair benefit of both the sugar producers and consumers," he added.
Meanwhile, based on the latest survey made by Sun.Star-Bacolod, domestic mill gate sugar price at the La Carlota City Milling District is at P1,036.10/bag for "A" sugar and P995.58/bag for "B" (raw) sugar.
In the Victorias Milling Company, "A" sugar is priced at P1,050/bag and P1,020/bag for "B" sugar.
At the Hawaiian Philippines Mill District in Silay City, the "B" sugar price is peg at P1,005/bag.
For the Planters Association of Southern Negros (PASON), "A" sugar sells at P1,035/bag and "B" sugar at P996.53/bag.
In Negros Oriental, the Central Azucarera de Bais pegged its price for "A" sugar at P1,038.70/bag and P1,003.90/bag for "B" sugar.
On the other hand, Universal Robina Sugar Milling Corporation has set the "A" sugar price at P1,041.11/bag and P1,005.11/bag for "B" sugar.
The confusion started when Manuel Lamata, president of the United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines, Inc. called for the resignation of Ledesma last Monday.
Lamata claimed that Ledesma failed to consult the sugar industry on the lifting of the "C" sugar allocation last month.
Governor Joseph Marañon believes that it is not yet the time to call for Ledesma's resignation. He said that Ledesma had done a good job in at the agency.
Confed also backed Ledesma's decision but said that he should have asked for a consultation before issuing any order that can affect the industry.
(January 6, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
