Sugar Prices Soar to Rs190/kg Due to Policy Flaws

Islamabad, July 10, 2025, 05:15 PM PKT — The government’s erratic sugar export and import policies have triggered a domestic price surge to Rs190 per kilogram, fueled by low export prices followed by costly imports to meet domestic demand, creating a vicious cycle of price hikes within months, per recent analyses. This policy contradiction burdens consumers with financial strain, missing cheaper export rates only to face inflated import costs, with a Rs30 per kg premium over previously exported sugar, exposing flawed decision-making.

International market data shows sugar at $490 per ton, with regional premiums of $70 per ton pushing costs to $560 per ton, and additional charges raising the landed cost to $596 per ton. Meanwhile, exports fetched $536 per ton, yielding a $60 per ton loss, directly driving domestic prices up and straining trade balance and foreign exchange reserves. Market experts urge consistent, sustainable strategies to manage production and trade, reducing reliance on imports. Web context highlights export-import gaps (e.g., 20% price variance), while posts found on X show anger—some blame policy flip-flops, others demand accountability. Critically, the narrative of “market adjustment” may mask policy mismanagement—web data points to planning failures, and X sentiment suggests distrust in government competence, hinting at ongoing instability.