ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain on Thursday firmly rejected reports of a sugar crisis in Pakistan, assuring the public that the country has sufficient sugar stock and there are no significant issues with its supply or pricing.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the minister criticized what he described as misleading narratives regarding the import and export of sugar, asserting that the current market situation does not indicate any crisis.
“There is no sugar crisis. The country has ample stock, and prices are stable,” the minister stated. He emphasized that the sugar trade, including both imports and exports, is a routine activity that Pakistan has engaged in for over a decade.
He clarified that every decision related to sugar trade is taken after approval from the Sugar Advisory Board, which includes federal ministers, provincial government representatives, and industry stakeholders.
The minister’s remarks came amid widespread reports of sugar shortages in major cities like Lahore and Islamabad, where market availability has reportedly declined.
Additionally, retail prices have surged in cities such as Karachi, Peshawar, and Quetta, reaching as high as Rs190 per kilogramme, in defiance of government-imposed price caps. Despite these concerns, Tanveer maintained that the narrative of a crisis is being exaggerated.
Providing context to the export decisions, he explained that Pakistan had a surplus of 1.3 million metric tonnes of sugar last year. This surplus justified the government’s decision to allow the export of an equal quantity. At the beginning of the last cycle, the country had 800,000 metric tonnes in its opening stock, and domestic production was recorded at 6.8 million metric tonnes.
Exports began in October 2024, only 20 days before the crushing season commenced. At that time, global sugar prices were $750 per tonne, compared to a local market rate of Rs138 per kilogramme. The government had capped domestic sugar prices at Rs140 per kilogramme to protect consumers.
Tanveer also provided insight into the current production cycle, revealing that the total sugar output for the year stands at 5.8 million metric tonnes—significantly below the earlier projected figure of seven million tonnes. Despite this reduction, he reiterated that there is no immediate threat of shortage.
He further clarified that any upcoming decisions on sugar imports would be managed carefully to ensure they do not adversely impact sugarcane growers. The government’s goal, he said, is to maintain market stability while protecting the interests of farmers.
To combat artificial shortages and unjustified price hikes, the federal government has fixed a new price for sugar and plans to enforce it rigorously. The minister warned that stern action is already underway against hoarders and those attempting to manipulate supply lines for undue profit.
