LAHORE: Speculative trade in sugar has begun pushing prices of the sweetener up even before the arrival of Ramazan and during the sugarcane crushing season.

Sugar prices have registered a Rs12 per kg increase during the last week in city markets as a 50kg bag of the commodity in the local market has reached Rs7400 after an increase of Rs600.

According to the report, the price of sugar per kilogram in the wholesale market has increased from Rs136 to Rs148, while it is being sold at Rs150 per kg by retailers.

Usually, rates of the sweetener come down during the crushing season. But this season the situation is contrary and rates are going up though the crushing season is in full swing.

In December 2024, the ex-mill rate of sugar was Rs125 per kg, but it has now jumped to Rs140 to 143, says a spokesperson for the Sugar Dealers Association. He says that the ex-mill rate for February is being pitched at Rs145.

He says export of sugar and artificial shortage of the commodity is responsible for the price hike. He fears that if the situation is not controlled, there is a risk that the price of sugar will go up further in the month of Ramazan.

Published in Dawn, January 27th, 2025

Opinion

From hard to harder

From hard to harder

Instead of ‘hard state’ turning even harder, citizens deserve a state that goes soft on them in delivering democratic and development aspirations.

Editorial

Canal unrest
Updated 03 Apr, 2025

Canal unrest

With rising water scarcity in Indus system, it is crucial to move towards a consensus-driven policymaking process.
Iran-US tension
03 Apr, 2025

Iran-US tension

THE Trump administration’s threats aimed at Iran do not bode well for global peace, and unless Washington changes...
Flights to history
03 Apr, 2025

Flights to history

MOHENJODARO could have been the forgotten gold we desperately need. Instead, this 5,000-year-old well of antiquity ...
Eid amidst crises
Updated 31 Mar, 2025

Eid amidst crises

Until the Muslim world takes practical steps to end these atrocities, these besieged populations will see no joy.
Women’s rights
Updated 01 Apr, 2025

Women’s rights

Such judgements, and others directly impacting women’s rights should be given more airtime in media.
Not helping
Updated 02 Apr, 2025

Not helping

If it's committed to peace in Balochistan, the state must draw a line between militancy and legitimate protest.