BACOLOD CITY, March 19 -- Higher mill gate prices of sugar have brought "big relief" to farmers amid the challenges posed by the drought due to El Nino to sugarcane plantations.

After hitting PHP2,600 per 50-kg. bag in February, prices went even higher, breaching the PHP2,800 level by the middle of March.

The biggest independent sugar group in the country, the United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines (UNIFED), said in a statement on Tuesday that they are thankful that "prices have gone up to the level that farmers are comfortable with."

"Today's prices are a big relief to planters who are also facing the problem brought about by El Nino," said UNIFED president Manuel Lamata, based in this city.

He acknowledged Department o...