ISLAMABAD:
The government has eased a ban on sugar export, for the second time in three months, and allowed millers to export 200,000 tons while also deciding to procure a same quantity for maintaining buffer stocks for domestic consumption.
The move is aimed at stabilising prices in the local market and resolving cash flow problems of the millers.
The decision was taken by President Asif Ali Zardari in a meeting with Pakistan Sugar Mills Association, a body watching the interests of the sugar industry. The president also has stakes in the sugar industry.
“Sugar mills can immediately export an additional 200,000 tons,” said Iskander Khan, former PSMA chairman, who also attended Thursday’s meeting. The decision came in the wake of a summary sent to the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet by the Ministry of Industries a few months ago.
However, there is a strong likelihood that a fresh summary may be sent to the ECC, the highest economic decision-making body, to meet procedural formalities since there is no possibility of rejecting the summary because of intervention of President Zardari.
Khan said the government will also purchase 200,000 tons of sugar from the mills that have a surplus stock of 500,000 to 600,000 tons. A quantity of 478,000 tons has already been procured to arrest the price fall following complaints from the millers that they were suffering heavy losses.
The sugar industry is one of the privileged industries where taxpayer money is used to protect the billionaires.
Khan said the decision will help the millers clear arrears of Rs30 billion of the growers. Government’s buffer stocks have plunged to 200,000 tons and the decision to purchase the commodity will not only meet requirements of utility stores but will also help the millers pay off their liabilities, he said.
The Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) will issue tenders soon for sugar purchase.
The government banned sugar export in 2009. In February this year, it allowed export of 100,000 tons. At that time, the millers exported the commodity at $660 per ton. On Thursday, sugar contracts settled at $560 per ton in the London Futures Exchange and prices were falling.
Khan said ex-factory price of sugar was Rs53 per kg in the domestic market while in the wholesale market it was Rs55 per kg. In February before the government intervention, the ex-factory price was Rs45-46 per kg while in the wholesale market the price was Rs48-50 per kg. “Sugar prices should not be below Rs60 per kg,” he stressed.
According to an official handout, PSMA Chairman Javed Kayani, while briefing the president, said sugar production was around 4.7 million tons and after meeting domestic consumption of 4.2 million tons, around 400,000 tons would be left for export.
The president, while advising the government to hold a meeting with PSMA, said the proposal of exporting sugar should be sent to the ECC for consideration.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 4th, 2012.
COMMENTS (3)
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allowing export is not help!! export is needed so that arrears can be paid to farmers or they wont grow next year!! its a cycle.. Good decision by president..
What a joke this government is! Blatantly protecting its own interests and that of their allies. Believe me the sugar industry is the last industry that requires help. They make staggering profits by forming a cartel and selling at overpriced rates to a local market. Compare that with the textile industry, which happens to be the backbone of the industrial sector of the country. It competes on a world stage against countries such as Bangladesh and China and has to deal with no electricity or gas for most of the year, without any bailouts from this inept government.
Export now & import during Ramzan to plunder the poor. Very good policy.