Pakistan : Sugar export rises over 18 times amid 24% local price surge
Pakistan’s sugar exports surged 1,851% to \$411 million in July–May FY25, up from \$21 million last year, according to PBS. This export boom coincided with a 24% jump in domestic sugar prices, reaching Rs177/kg. Critics blame weak regulation and export-driven supply gaps. Experts urge better sugarcane farming, stock planning, and balanced export policy to protect local consumers.
Islamabad, June 19, 2025 – Pakistan witnessed an extraordinary rise in sugar export, which soared by a staggering 1,851% during the first eleven months (July–May) of fiscal year 2024-25, even as local sugar prices surged by 24%, putting a financial strain on domestic consumers.
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According to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the country exported sugar worth $411 million during July to May FY25, a sharp leap from just $21 million in the same period of the previous fiscal year. The increase in sugar export earnings coincides with a significant hike in retail sugar prices within Pakistan.
PBS reported that the average retail price of sugar rose to Rs177 per kilogram for the week ending June 12, 2025, compared to Rs143 per kilogram during the corresponding week last year. This price hike occurred despite repeated government assurances of price controls and subsidy programs aimed at easing consumer burden.
Earlier in the year, the government had launched a Ramadan relief package, pledging to make sugar available at Rs130 per kilogram. However, due to weak enforcement and inadequate coordination between provincial authorities, sugar mills, and retail outlets, the initiative failed to significantly influence actual market prices.
While exporters and producers have benefited from high international demand and rising global prices, local consumers have paid the price through inflation and inconsistent availability. Critics argue that the massive spike in sugar export volumes without sufficient stockpiles for domestic use contributed to market volatility and price escalation.
Agricultural economists stress that Pakistan must prioritize improvements in the sugarcane sector by adopting modern farming techniques, improving yield efficiency, and strengthening supply chain systems. Doing so would ensure that the country can meet both domestic demand and continue growing its export footprint in global sugar markets.
Without strategic planning, the imbalance between domestic consumption needs and aggressive export policy could continue to burden ordinary citizens. A sustainable and well-regulated approach to sugar export is now imperative to protect both consumer welfare and national economic interests.
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Source : PK Revenue.com
