Sugar shortage leaves bitter taste for Filipino streetside bakeries, small retailers

Baker Bobbie Madrono said customers are buying fewer breads and pastries, even though the shop has not raised prices. ST PHOTO: MARA CEPEDA
Retailer Mina Gazmen said a 50kg sack of sugar has increased from 1,950 pesos in 2020 to 3,000 pesos now. PHOTO: MINA GAZMEN
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MANILA - Streetside bakeries and small retailers are feeling the brunt of a sugar crisis in the Philippines, as the government moves to import more supplies to address the domestic shortage.

Mr Bobbie Madrono, a baker working in a shop located at a busy intersection in Quezon City, Metro Manila, said customers are buying fewer breads and pastries these days, even though the shop has not raised prices despite sugar becoming more expensive.

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