Millers warn of sugar crisis amid curbs on sales

The Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) has raised concerns over the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) decision to halt sugar sales through the portal across the country, calling it contradictory to the continued import of sugar. A spokesperson for PSMA, in a statement on Saturday, warned that such a policy would lead to a severe market crisis, with rising prices due to sugar shortages. The association urged the government to allow sugar mills nationwide to sell sugar freely in the market. According to the Sensitive Price Index (SPI) data for the week ending September 18, 2025, the national average price of sugar has remained unchanged at Rs177-195 per kg this month. However, consumers paid up to Rs200 per kg in July and August. The spokesman clarified that all sugar mills are selling sugar at Rs165 per kg ex-mill, and the country has sufficient sugar stocks until mid-November 2025. Retail prices in Punjab are between Rs175 and Rs177 per kg.