Govt to import 500,000 tonnes of sugar to stabilize prices

(Web Desk): The government has decided to import 500,000 tonnes of sugar, according to the Ministry of National Food Security, in a move aimed at stabilizing prices.

The Ministry stated that the decision to import sugar has been made to ensure price stability and public convenience. It clarified that last season, sugar was exported due to surplus stock, and rejected the notion that the country lacks sufficient sugar to meet public demand.

Meanwhile, sugar prices have continued to rise across the country. The average retail price of sugar has reached Rs180.93 per kilogram, with a maximum reported price of Rs195 per kilogram.

The Federal Bureau of Statistics has released new data on sugar prices, indicating an increase of Rs3.77 per kilogram in the past week alone. A week ago, the average price stood at Rs177.16 per kilogram, while a year ago, it was Rs143.38 per kilogram.

It is worth noting that the current government had allowed the export of a total of 750,000 metric tonnes of sugar between June and October 2024, including a final export approval of 500,000 metric tonnes in October.

At the time, the federal government had set a condition that sugar exports would be immediately halted if the retail price exceeded Rs145.15 per kilogram. However, sugar exports continued between December 2024 and February 2025, during which prices also continued to rise steadily.