Pakistan : Sugar prices defy govt cap, stay above Rs180
Despite government-set price caps, sugar in Pakistan continues to sell above official rates—averaging Rs180/kg nationwide, against the fixed Rs173–175. Major cities like Lahore and Islamabad report even higher prices. Weak enforcement, supply issues, and hoarding contribute to the gap, leaving consumers burdened amid ongoing inflation.
Despite official efforts, sugar prices across Pakistan remain higher than the government’s set limits, hurting consumers already dealing with inflation. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the average retail price of sugar currently stands at Rs180.04 per kg, while the government had fixed the retail price at Rs173–175 per kg and the ex-mill price at Rs165.
In major cities, enforcement is inconsistent. Sugar is selling for Rs185 per kg in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, even though the official rate for Islamabad is Rs172. Similarly, in Lahore, Sialkot, and Gujranwala, sugar is priced at Rs180 per kg, while in Faisalabad and Peshawar, rates soar to Rs190 per kg. These are well above the official limits, suggesting weak price monitoring and market non-compliance.
The PBS data shows that, while sugar prices have fallen Rs8 per kg in the past week, the decrease is not enough to meet official expectations. Last week, the average price was Rs188.04 per kg, and one year ago, it stood at Rs147.71 per kg—a year-on-year increase of over Rs30 per kg.
Earlier this month, the government reached an understanding with sugar industry representatives, agreeing to fix prices at both the production and retail levels to avoid artificial shortages and hoarding. However, traders and retailers continue to sell at higher rates, citing supply chain disruptions, production costs, and speculative buying as key reasons.
The government has warned of action against hoarders and profiteers, but enforcement mechanisms appear to be struggling. Until stronger regulatory steps are taken, the gap between policy and market reality is likely to persist—leaving ordinary consumers to bear the brunt of soaring food prices.
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Source : Daily Times
