Sugar prices throughout Pakistan remained high despite the recent government’s directives to reduce rates less than 164 rupees per kilogram. In many cities, the fragmentation price of sugar hovers between 164 rupees and 180 rupees per kilogram, indicating a little effect of official warnings or campaign on storage.
Rove Ibrahim, head of the wholesale sellers Association in Karachi, said that the high -level sugar prices in Karachi have decreased for a short period from 168 rupees to 158 rupees per kilogram after Prime Minister Sharif announced March 15, which targets the treasure.
However, he pointed out that retailers failed to transfer the RS10 reduction to consumers, taking advantage of the high demand in Ramadan.
He criticized the government for its failure to reduce prices to 130 rupees per kilogram, saying that no effective action against sugar factories has been punished during the punishment of retailers only.
After the interactions between sugar mills and government officials, he claimed that wholesale prices had increased again to 168 rupees per kg. He urged the authorities to check the costs of sugar production.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Sugar Mills Association in Pakistan (Punjab) rejected the claims that exports were driving sugar prices. In a statement, the spokesperson said that the price increase has nothing to do with exports, explaining that the industry held a surplus of 1.2 million tons – 250 billion rupees – in September 2024. The arrow was pledged with banks of approximately 25 percent.
A spokesman for the export delay argued almost the industry prompted the collapse, adding that the exports were allowed until after multiple governmental measures of the stock surplus.
He said that in June 2024, it was agreed with the government that the average of the previously sugar party from the cracking season 2023-104 would remain fixed at 140 rupees per kilogram during the export window.
The statement indicated that the prices of sugar cane reached 750 rupees per end of this season, which benefits from farmers and ensures the sustainability of crops in the future. The high price of sugar prices is described only to export as misleading.
PSMA also blamed the market forces, including speculation and condensation by the so -called “Satta Mafia” and retailers, to raise prices. He stated that local consumers can currently buy sugar at 130 rupees per kilogram in 274 official booths that have been prepared for this purpose until April 19.
The industry has repeated its long invitation to the independent cost audit of production costs. It also suggested a pricing system of two levels, separating the commercial sector-which consumes 80 percent of total and irregular sugar-from local consumers. The industry has expressed its willingness to cooperate with the government to ensure reasonable prices for home users.
