[Philippines expects sugar production to decline with a view to increasing imports] Pablo Azcona, acting director of the Philippine Sugar Industry Regulatory Authority (SRA), said that due to the lack of biofuels made from sugarcane straw, refineries have stopped production and sugar production may drop by about 100000 tons. There may be a shortage of about 50,000 tons of refined sugar in the country. Supply is expected to last only until August 31. SRA said it was planning to import 150000 tons of refined sugar to fill possible gaps and replenish buffer stocks.