Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon and US Embassy Agricultural Attaché Jude Akhidenor yesterday expressed optimism about the future of the sugar industry.

Marañon said he expects prices of sugar to remain high at least for two more crop years.

Akhidenor met with Marañon yesterday and visited agriculture projects in Negros Occidental.

The United States government increased the Philippines share of its sugar quota this crop year following a sugar shortage in the US caused by the damage of Hurricane Katrina.

Akhidenor said it is hard to tell if the increased RP share of US sugar quota would be the same next year.

It depends on how fast US producers will be able to adjust after the damage caused by Katrina, he said.

However, the increased demand for ethanol and sugar will keep the future of the sugar industry attractive, he said.

The prospects of increased demand for sugar looks good, he added.

Akhidenor, who visited projects of the provincial government to increase agricultural productivity and livelihood, said "The governor is doing a fantastic job."

He said he came to the province to see what is being done and what kind of projects could be assisted, saying that its rich natural resources shows that it has a lot of potential.*CPG

back to top