Table 6-6 Production, exports, and imports of sugar, 1975 – 2005, in tons Production
Exports
Imports
1975
2,396,992
1,514,502
-
1980
2,266,963
1,619,469
-
1985
1,722,209
877,334
-
1990
1,753,420
275,488
-
1995
1,647,023
149,529
84,524
1996
1,790,375
229,112
816,668
1997
1,829,993
248,467
132,624
1998
1,802,744
198,876
97,650
1999
1,624,322
141,298
601,499
2000
1,619,613
91,250
101,330
2001
1,805,203
89,317
215,921
2002
1,898,501
75,401
87,907
2003
2,161,525
137,353
41,978
2004
2,338,574
137,000
351
2005
2,150,746
137,353
Note: Imports sum up raw and refined sugar. Source: SRA
Processing of raw sugar is done domestically; currently there are 28 sugar mills operating, down from a peak of 42 (in 1978). Negros has the most mills (12), followed by Luzon (7); Mindanao has four, while Panay and Eastern Visayas have three each. The reduction in number of mills despite higher production levels implies rising investment in milling capacity since 1975 (Table 6-7). However the expansion is accounted for almost entirely by Mindanao, with minor increases in Negros. Capacity actually declined in the other regions, with the fastest drop in Panay. Table 6-7 Rated capacity of sugar mills by milling region, in cane t/day, 1975–2004 1975
1980
1990
2000
2003
2004
Total
157,651
189,622
173,130
168,800
177,800
178,300
Luzon
40,228
48,654
45,800
36,500
39,700
38,500
Negros
83,045
96,658
92,080
87,000
87,600
82,800
Panay
18,078
20,398
13,250
14,000
12,000
12,000
E. Visayas
12,300
11,912
12,000
8,800
10,000
10,000
Mindanao
4,000
12,000
10,000
22,500
28,500
35,000
Source: SRA.
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