Sugar mills seek approval to export 585,000 tonnes of surplus sugar

The Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) has requested the federal government to allow the export of

The Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) has requested the federal government to allow the export of 585,000 tonnes of surplus sugar, saying the country has sufficient stocks to meet domestic demand while supporting sugarcane growers ahead of the next crushing season.

In separate letters addressed to Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and the Minister for National Food Security, the association urged the government to grant immediate permission for sugar exports, as it has done in previous years.

According to the letters, Pakistan had 3.4 million metric tonnes of sugar in stock as of July 15, 2026, while the country’s average monthly consumption stands at approximately 567,000 metric tonnes.

The association said that even before the start of the upcoming crushing season, an estimated 1.158 million metric tonnes of sugar would remain in stock, ensuring ample supplies for domestic needs.

PSMA further stated that another bumper sugarcane crop is expected during the next crushing season, which is projected to produce around 8 million metric tonnes of sugar—well above the country’s annual requirement.

The association warned that with the sugarcane sowing season approaching, growers are facing uncertainty due to concerns over excess sugar stocks and limited storage capacity.

It urged the government to allow the export of surplus sugar, including stocks held as strategic reserves, within one month of the beginning of the new crushing season. According to the association, timely exports would help stabilise the domestic market, create storage space for the new crop, and ensure better returns for sugarcane farmers