Pakistan : Sugar industry confirms stable supply, rules out shortage
Pakistan faces no sugar shortage, with sufficient local production and imports. Ex-mill prices are Rs174-176 per kg, and retail rates are stable at Rs185. With sugarcane output up 20%, prices may fall to around Rs150 once crushing accelerates. Industry leaders urge a Rs500 support price and stronger Track & Trace transparency.
KARACHI:
Pakistan has no threat of a sugar shortage as both locally produced and imported stocks are sufficiently available in the market, industry representatives said.
According to market figures, the ex-mill price stands at Rs174 per kg in Punjab and Rs176 per kg in Sindh, while wholesale rates are Rs176-177 per kg, and retail prices remain stable at Rs185 per kg.
Wholesale Grocers Association Chairman Rauf Ibrahim, said the country’s fresh sugarcane crop is ready for crushing, and to ensure growers’ sustainability, the government must set the support price at Rs500 per maund (40kg).
He noted that sugarcane production has increased by 20% compared to last year, and once crushing begins on a full scale, the ex-mill price is expected to fall to around Rs150 per kg.
Rauf Ibrahim said that around 300,000 tonnes of imported sugar has already reached Pakistan, while another 100,000 tonnes is expected within days. To improve market transparency, he urged the government to make it mandatory for sugar mill buyers to submit CNIC, sales tax registration numbers, and NTN details under the Track & Trace system.
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Source : The Express Tribune
