KARACHI, July 12: The sugar production is estimated at more than 3.248 million tons till June 30, 2002, says a report here on Friday.

According to the fortnight report of sugar production by the mills during 2001-2002, released by Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA), the industry have been able to dispose of 1.871 million tons of sugar and accumulated a stock of more than 1.376 million tons. PSMA report said that out of total production, Punjab produced more than 2.155 million tons of sugar, while Sindh 957,308 tons and NWFP 135,627 tons.

Sugar mills crushed more than 36.708 million tons of sugarcane and sliced 316,040 tons of sugarbeet till May 31, 2002.

Sugar production from cane was estimated at 3.196 million tons while from raw sugar at 22,111 tons and 29,130 tons from sugar beet.

Last year, Pakistan produced about 2.933 million tons of sugar.

The over all recovery has improved in the country from 8.98 per cent in 2000-2001 to 8.70 per cent in 2001-2002.

The sucrose recovery in Sindh increased to 9.27 per cent during 2001-2002 as compared to 9.22 per cent in 2000-2001.

In Punjab, the recovery increased to 8.52 per cent in 2001- 2002 from 7.95 per cent last year.

In NWFP, the recovery surged to 8.09 percent during the period under review over last year’s 7.18 per cent.—APP