Sugar import plan raises many eyebrows
Last year, sugar mills had submitted sugar stock figures to the federal government and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had been very happy with these stock figures.
Based on the stock figures, the government had allowed the export of sugar which was linked with Rs2 per kg increase in retail price. It was agreed that sugar export would be halted if the retail prices went up from the benchmark price. But that price increased from the ex-mill price of Rs141 per kg to Rs200 per kg.
Now, a game of imports has started with the Ministry of National Food Security and Research announcing on Saturday that the government is going to import 0.2 million tons of sugar to intervene to overcome sugar prices hike.
The traders and sugar mill owners are both beneficiaries in the dirty game of price hike. First, the government allowed the sugar mills to pocket millions of dollars by exporting sugar and even raised prices in the domestic market.
Now, the government is betting on the sugar import rather than taking strict action against the mills which had given an understanding that they would not increase the prices of the sweetener.
The Ministry of National Food Security and Research in a statement announced the government's decision to import 200,000 tons of sugar.
A spokesperson said the final order for sugar import has been placed and the import of sugar has entered the final stage after the opening of the tender. He said sugar is being imported from China.
"The first shipment of imported sugar will reach Pakistan in early September 2025," the spokesperson said, adding that the aim of the import is to ensure the availability of sugar in the market and maintain price balance.
He added that the relevant committee formed by the government also successfully obtained a discount at the time of purchase in the international market. The arrival of imported sugar, he said, will maintain price balance in the local market and directly benefit consumers.
Federal Minister for Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain recently claimed during a press conference that sugar is available in abundant quantities and its price is within the reach of the common man.
He ruled out the claims that sugar was first exported and is now being imported to allow a mafia to mint money. "Except for one or two years, sugar has historically been exported in large quantities and then imported to meet demands. The sugar issue emerges seasonally like monsoon frogs," he remarked.
He said the Sugar Advisory Board includes federal ministers, representatives from all four provinces, and relevant stakeholders.
The government allowed sugar export in a phased manner. At the time when the export request was made, the global market price of sugar was $750 per ton.
Hussain also claimed that there is a difference of Rs8 to Rs10 per kg between ex-mill and retail prices. After the export, he said, the local price of sugar dropped to Rs119 per kg. He said the government has maintained a buffer stock of 500,000 tons.
Despite an increase in the cultivated area, sugar production fell. "As soon as we learned about the shortfall, the prime minister halted the remaining sugar export and 40,000 tons of sugar was not exported," he added.
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