Browse Data and Analysis

FAS/San José expects sugar production in marketing year 2024/2025 to decline by seven percent to 394,000 metric tons (MT). Lower production is the result of adverse weather conditions during the development stage of the sugarcane, as well as during the early stages of the harvest.

FAS Manila forecasts marketing year (MY) 2026 raw sugar production to remain flat at 1.85 million metric tons (MT). Ample rainfall during the planting season which started in October supported sugarcane planting among farms with no irrigation.

FAS Manila forecasts soybean meal imports in Marketing Year (MY) 2025/26 to increase by 3.1 percent to 3.35 million metric tons (MMT) compared to the previous MY, due to an increase in local feed demand from the broiler, layer, aquaculture, and pet food industries, along with the forecast gradual rebound of the swine industry.

The Philippine excise tax for alcohol products increased by six percent on January 1, 2025, and will continue to increase at a fixed rate of six percent annually, as stipulated in the law, which does not include a sunset provision.

As inflation eases, Post forecasts food sales growth at five percent in 2025 driven by population growth and rising incomes. Food and beverage manufacturing is expanding, indicating solid growth in the sector, amid higher production costs, particularly for inputs.

FAS Manila forecasts an increase in milled rice production in Marketing Year (MY) 2025/26 compared to the previous MY, due to favorable weather conditions and an increase in government funding for the rice industry.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has approved the lowering of the milling recovery rate (MRR) of palay to rice from 65.4 to 63.0 percent.

On February 7, 2025, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) released Sugar Order No. 2 (SO2) authorizing the voluntary purchase of 500,000 metric tons (MT) of raw sugar to avail of an allocation in the government’s sugar importation program.

On February 18, 2025, the Philippines notified the World Trade Organization Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade of the Department of Finance’s Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 001-2025.

On February 11, 2025, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) issued Sugar Order No. 3 (SO3), allowing new applications for construction and expansion of bioethanol facilities using molasses as feedstock provided certain conditions are met.

On January 24, 2025, the Philippine Department of Finance announced the issuance of Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 001-2025, which provides the implementing guidelines of the pre-border technical verification (PTV) and cross-border electronic invoicing (CEI) of all imported commodities.

The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) declared a food security emergency related to rice on February 3, 2025, citing an extraordinary increase in prices.