Late last month, the Sugar Regulatory Administration announced its plan to issue an order requiring importers of glucose and other sweeteners under Tariff Line 1702 to pay an import clearance fee to the agency, which would then give the go signal for the release of their shipments at the ports.
It has the potential to trigger a ripple of ill effects, like congestion at the ports leading to additional demurrage fees that would hurt our local makers of confectioneries in terms of delays in production and additional costs. Also, glucose is not affecting the demand for sugar because glucose does not replace—but actually complements—sugar in the production of confectioneries.
We are also urging the SRA to review its mandate since glucose is not made from sugar—but mostly from corn—so it could be outside the scope of the agency. The hope for improved sugar yields and prices extends beyond the populace; several local industries, including the confectionery sector—which employs hundreds of thousands—share this expectation.
There has to be a better way for the SRA to properly monitor the importation of glucose and other sweeteners, and the BOC is a good way to start.