A United States trade representative yesterday officially informed the Philippine government that the US is allocating an additional increase of 37,037 metric tons of raw sugar to its previous share last October, Sugar Regulatory Administration head James Ledesma said yesterday.

The SRA administrator had earlier raised the allocation of "A" (US Sugar Quota share) to 10 percent following persistent report that the US agriculture department may add to its previous increased quota allocation before the year ends because the initial additional order for about 35,000 metric tons of raw sugar was placed ahead of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

In Louisiana, US Sugar experts reported, the hurricane drove seawater as much as 15 miles inland. It covered ripening sugarcane crops and posed the problem of soil fertility.

The Philippines enjoys the third biggest clise of the 272,155 metric tons of raw sugar, making it a total of 1.5 million metric tons then 2006 tarrif rate quota. It also ordered an additional 236,078 mts. of refined sugar to cover "current supply shortages" in the US.

This order came about even as US Trade Representative Rob Portman prepared to lead the US delegation to the World Trade Organization ministerial meeting in Hongkong now going on.

The Dominican Republic leads the quota holders with an allocation of 48,286 Mts. Brazil is next with its 37,781. The Philippines is third with its quota allocation of 37,037, according to the official notification.

Australia is fourth with 22,771.

Portman said these allocations are based on the historical shipments to the US

Ledesma said that, as of Dec. 2, the total volume of "A" sugar showed 9,514.04 metric tons about ready for shipment to the United States.

All Asian Countertrade holds 4,120.63 mts. while ED & F Man Phils. holds 3,453.44 mts; Amero Phils. Inc. 1,507.00, and Delmax Trading, 432.97, he said.*

back to top