If you're a bakery owner, food manufacturer, or commercial kitchen operator looking for a Passi sugar supplier in the Philippines, this guide covers everything you need to know — from the mill behind the brand to the technical specs and how to order wholesale.
Passi washed sugar has long been a popular choice among Philippine businesses that want a step up from raw sugar without paying refined sugar prices. It offers a natural sweetness, light brown color, and reliable quality that works well across a wide range of food applications.
What Is Passi Sugar?
Passi sugar is produced by sugar mills in Passi City, Iloilo — a major sugarcane-growing area on Panay Island in the Western Visayas region. The Passi (Iloilo) Sugar Central, Inc. has been operating since 1970, when it was built by a group of 15 local sugarcane planters. It's now part of the Universal Robina Corporation (URC) sugar division.
The mill operates two facilities (URC Passi 1 and URC Passi 2) with a combined milling capacity of approximately 8,000 tonnes of cane per day, making it the largest sugar mill operation on Panay Island. Milling season typically runs from November through April or May each year.
Passi washed sugar is a type of sugar that sits between raw and refined. The outer molasses layer of raw sugar is washed off, producing lighter-colored crystals with a cleaner taste — but without the full refining process. This makes it more affordable than refined sugar while still being suitable for most commercial food applications.
Why Choose Passi Washed Sugar?
Passi washed sugar is popular with commercial buyers for several practical reasons:
- Budget-friendly — priced lower than refined sugar, making it ideal for high-volume operations like bakeries and commercial kitchens where ultra-white color isn't required.
- Natural flavor — retains a mild sweetness with a subtle molasses note that works well in breads, pastries, desserts, and beverages.
- Consistent quality — typical polarization of 99.28%, which is high for washed sugar and means reliable sweetness batch to batch.
- Low moisture — typical moisture of just 0.04%, which means longer shelf life and less risk of caking during storage.
- PRC-certified — quality analysis certified by a PRC-registered chemist using ICUMSA GS methods.
Passi washed sugar is the smart choice for bakeries, commercial kitchens, and food producers who want good quality at a competitive price — especially for products like pan de sal, ensaymada, kakanin, sauces, and sweetened beverages where a slight natural color is acceptable.
Passi Washed Sugar — Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Polarization (Purity) | 98.0 – 99.4% (Typical: 99.28%) |
| Color (ICUMSA) | ≤1800 I.U. (Typical: 785 I.U.) |
| Moisture | ≤0.14% (Typical: 0.04%) |
| NS Contaminants | ≤0.12% / 100g (Typical: 0.01%) |
| Safety Factor | ≤0.30 (Typical: 0.05) |
| pH Level | 6.16 (Neutral range) |
| Appearance | Light brown crystalline granules |
| Odor/Taste | Sweet odor and taste |
| Grain Size | Medium crystalline |
| Packaging | 50kg sack (bulk available) |
| Origin | Passi, Iloilo, Philippines |
| Certification | PRC-registered chemist analysis (ICUMSA GS methods) |
For the full spec sheet, see our Passi product page.
Passi Washed Sugar vs. Refined Sugar
Many buyers want to know how Passi washed sugar compares to refined options like Busco Standard. Here's a side-by-side:
| Parameter | Passi Washed | Busco Standard (Refined) |
|---|---|---|
| Polarization | 98.0 – 99.4% | ≥99.70% |
| Color | ≤1800 I.U. (typ. 785) | ≤120 I.U. |
| Moisture | ≤0.14% | ≤0.08% |
| Appearance | Light brown crystals | White crystals |
| Price | Lower | Higher |
| Best for | Breads, kakanin, sauces | Pastries, beverages, confectionery |
| Origin | Passi, Iloilo | Butong, Quezon, Bukidnon |
The bottom line: Passi is more affordable and works great for products where a light brown color and natural sweetness are acceptable or even preferred. Refined sugar is better when you need white color and neutral flavor.
Who Should Buy Passi Sugar?
Bakeries
If you're producing pan de sal, ensaymada, monay, or other everyday breads at commercial scale, Passi washed sugar is a reliable and cost-effective sweetener. The slight natural color blends right into bread dough without affecting the final product's appearance.
Commercial Kitchens & Catering
For sauces, marinades, desserts, and beverages served in restaurants, canteens, or catering operations, Passi delivers consistent sweetness at a lower cost than refined sugar.
Kakanin & Traditional Dessert Producers
Products like bibingka, puto, sapin-sapin, and other Filipino desserts pair naturally with washed sugar. The mild molasses note complements traditional flavors rather than competing with them.
Food Manufacturers
If you manufacture sauces, condiments, canned goods, or processed foods where sugar color isn't critical, Passi offers significant cost savings at scale compared to refined alternatives.
How to Order Passi Sugar Wholesale
At SugarPhilippines, we supply Passi Washed Sugar in 50kg sacks, with pallet and truckload rates available for larger volumes. Here's how ordering works:
- Tell us what you need — sugar type, quantity (number of sacks or metric tons), and your delivery location.
- We respond same day — you'll receive current pricing, stock availability, and estimated delivery time.
- Confirm and schedule — once you approve the quote, we coordinate dispatch. Typical lead time is 48–72 hours for Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
We also carry refined and raw sugar alongside Passi, including Busco Standard, Busco Premium, Mitrphol Refined, and Biscom Raw — so if you need a mix of sugar types, we can bundle that in a single order.
We deliver across Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Pampanga, and Batangas. For other areas, contact us to check availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Order Passi Washed Sugar?
Contact us today for current pricing and availability. We deliver across Metro Manila and major provinces in Luzon.