Manila, Oct. 15 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday assured that there will be no sugar importation until the first half of 2026 to help protect local sugarcane farmers.

The DA made the statement to ensure reasonable buying prices of raw sugar, following reported low levels during the first sugar bidding in Negros last Oct. 9.

In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. said importation plans, if there are any, will strictly cover reserve sugar.

"Let us be clear -- there is, and never was, any talk of an importation program for Crop Year 2025-2026 until we finish significant milling, have firm production figures, and ensure any imports would only be classified as C or reserve sugar," he said.

He also ...