The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) reported a significant 35 percent increase in red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestation in the Visayas, with affected sugarcane areas expanding to 2,027.79 hectares as of Wednesday, up from 1,505.82 hectares a week earlier. The outbreak now impacts 1,097 farmers, raising concerns over productivity losses as RSSI can slash sugar content by up to 50 percent.
While SRA noted some recovery in 228.16 hectares, the agency continues to await emergency-use permit for key insecticides, including Buprofezin, Dinotefuran, Phenthoate, Pymetrozine, and Thiamethoxam – none of which are registered for sugarcane use. Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona has directed the La Granja Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Negros Occidental to expedite research supporting permit applications and to assess RSSI’s long-term impact on cane sugar content.
Amid mounting pressure, Azcona has also urged local government units in severely affected zones to declare a state of calamity to enable faster procurement and distribution of pesticides. The Department of Agriculture has already earmarked ₱10 million for pesticide purchases.
Despite infestation concerns, the SRA and DA remain optimistic about local sugar production that as of 8 June reached 2.015 million metric tons (MMT), a 4.7 percent year-on-year increase. The agencies project potential output to meet the 2.3 MMT demand, contingent on continued industry support.
Retail sugar prices in Metro Manila remain volatile, ranging from ₱65 to ₱90 per kilogram depending on the type, while millsite raw sugar prices slightly declined to ₱2,709.08 per 50-kg bag as of 8 June this year.
