The Philippine government said on Friday that sugar output for crop year 2012-2013 which begins on September 1 may grow by 5 percent on year to 2.36 million metric tons (MMT).

The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) said in a statement that the expected increase will enable the Philippines to export more sugar.

Of the projected output for the next crop year, the Philippine government allocated 10 percent or 138,827 metric tons (MT) for export to the United States under a so-called tariff rate quota scheme.

The SRA said the Philippines could still supply an additional 61,993 MT to the United States should Washington determine the need for additional sugar imports for 2013.

The government also allocated 82 percent of the projected sugar output or 2.03 MMT for domestic consumption while 247,000 MT will be shipped to other countries.

SRA, however, said that its estimate for the next crop year is still subject to revisions as planting may be influenced by changing weather patterns in the coming months.

The Philippines ended crop year 2011-2012 with total raw sugar production of 2.24 MMT and an estimated ending balance of 199,924 MT of refined sugar and 143,661 MT of raw sugar.

Manila exported a total of 200,561 MT of sugar to the United States and 326,379 MT to other foreign markets.