Philippines seeks to import 200,000 tonnes of refined sugar to cover current supply shortfall in country

MANILA, Feb 8 (Reuters): The Philippines plans to import 200,000 tonnes of standard and bottler's grade refined sugar to address a supply shortfall caused by crop damage from a powerful typhoon that hit plantations in December, the industry regulator said on Tuesday.

The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), in a statement, said the Philippines was bracing for a "very tight" sugar stock balance, which will not cover the two-to-three months of demand for refined sugar in between the milling seasons this crop year.