KARACHI, Aug 8: Two ships, Jat Na Mu and Asha Ashaiki, carrying 11,000 tons each of white refined sugar from China are due to take berths at the Karachi Port on Tuesday, while another ship, Malakand, with 14,000 tons of the commodity is due on August 13, 2005.

During July 2005 around 45,104 tons of white refined sugar reached Karachi and cleared by Customs Appraisement and around 14,000 tons by CARe section of the Karachi Customs.

Besides that there is a regular arrival of sugar in small quantities from Gulf countries in containers which took the total to around 60,000 tons of white refined sugar imported during July 2005, importers told Dawn on Monday.

They said that due to regular imports the prices of sugar in the domestic market had started coming down. During the first week of this month the large crystal sugar was being sold around Rs26.25 against Rs28 per kg. Similarly the fine sugar (Bareek) was available at Rs25.25 against Rs27 per kg.

Around 10 to 25 containers are reaching Karachi daily from Gulf countries at a price of $335 to $355 per ton, they added. They said that several deals had been finalized with Indian exporters, which would reach the country through Wagha border. Besides, small quantities had also been booked by the importers at a rate of $350-$355 per ton from India.

Similarly 40,000 to 50,000 tons of sugar from Brazil was expected to reach Karachi Port by the end of this month. However, they pointed out that the Brazilian sugar would be yellowish in colour as it was 150AICUMSA whereas crystal white sugar was normally of 100AICUMSA.

The government is keen to build up sufficient stocks of sugar for Ramazan when its consumption goes up. Importers were optimistic about sugar deals with India as there was freight advantage due to proximity of suppliers.