SRA to ask Washington for add'l sugar quota

The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) will lobby for an additional quota allocation from the United States so Filipino millers can export a chunk of their production surplus to the lucrative American market. Low domestic demand has resulted to excess sugar stocks of 2.2 million metric tons (MT), according to the Philippine Sugar Millers Association, saying that an additional 100,000 MT may be shipped to the United States. SRA administrator Ma. Regina Martin said they want to focus on the US market because buyers there are willing to purchase sugar from the Philippines at a premium. Martin added that Washington will likely give the additional allocation because Filipino sugar exporters are consistent and reliable. The Philippines was earlier allowed to export 196,000 MT of sugar to the US. — ELR/VS, GMA News