Manila: The country's sugar production may breach two million metric tons (MT), the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) reported on Monday. The volume is higher than the SRA's 1.782 million MT projected output for the cropping year.

According to Philippines News Agency, SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona attributed the positive local output to 'intensive research, massive production and distribution of high-yielding varieties.' Azcona noted the significant improvement in the quality of cane varieties, which has led to increased production output. "Personally, I was not a believer of SRA varieties in the past but without a doubt, we have produced very high-quality cane varieties that increased our production output," he said.

To date, the SRA estimated around 1.84 million MT for the country's pre-final local production volume. Azcona highlighted the agency's cautious approach, considering the recent challenges like the long drought due to El Nino. Despite these challenges, the canes showed remarkable recovery, aided by stable sugar prices throughout most of the season.

Azcona also mentioned the resetting of harvest as a factor for the higher production output. Earlier, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. approved the move to start the sugar harvest from August to October.