Manila to ship 138,827 MT of sugar to US

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines was allowed by the United States to ship some 138,827 metric tons of sugar under a preferential trade scheme for the new fiscal year starting October 1.

In a recent statement, United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk said the announcement was part of the US’ country-specific in-quota allocations under the tariff-rate quotas (TRQ) on imported raw cane sugar, refined and specialty sugar and sugar-containing products for fiscal year 2013.

The USTR explained that TRQs allow countries to export specified quantities of a product to the US at a relatively low tariff, but subject all imports of the product above a pre-determined threshold to a higher tariff.

“These allocations are based on each country’s historical shipments to the United States. The allocations of the raw cane sugar TRQ to countries that are net importers of sugar are conditioned on receipt of the appropriate verifications of origin, and certificates for quota eligibility must accompany imports from any country to which an allocation is provided,” the USTR said in a statement.

No change in volume

Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) policy and planning manager Rosemarie Gumera said the raw sugar value of the US quota, which is at 144,901 metric tons, is equivalent to a commercial value of 138,827 metric tons.

Gumera said this is the same volume of sugar shipments from the Philippines that was allowed by the US in previous crop years.

She added that should there be any increase in the volume, the SRA has requested that this be announced “not later than April” next year. This will allow sugar shipments to arrive in the US within FY 2013 which ends September next year.

In August, the SRA said it will be able to meet the US sugar quota of 138,827 metric tons and send possible additional quota of 61,993 MT, should the US require it, next year. –Rappler.com