No shortage of sugar, insist wholesalers, TCP

LAHORE: Prices are being consistently increased by millers on the pretext that their stocks are depleting, claimed Karachi Wholesale Grocers Association president Anis Majid.

“Wholesalers have not increased margins over the past few months,” contended Majid. He added that “wholesalers are charging about Re1 to Rs1.50 per kilogramme above the mill price.”

The Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) has also reiterated that the government has ample stocks available to maintain supplies at utility stores as well as at the provincial level.

Retail shops are currently charging between Rs82 and Rs84 per kg of sugar, despite the issuance of government price lists in all major markets.

Sugar prices surged yet again in retail markets after ex-mill prices were increased by Re1 this week to Rs76. Market sources revealed that ex-mill prices have increased by Rs8 since August 18 when sugar millers were charging Rs68 per kg.

Meanwhile, wholesale prices in Sindh stand at Rs78 per kg.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 4^th, 2010.