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KARACHI: Pakistan’s Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain on Wednesday warned sugar mills of stern action if they failed to start crushing on time, saying the move would protect farmers from exploitation and ensure sugar availability in markets. 

Farmers in Pakistan face problems whenever sugar mills delay the crushing season. Starting the sugar crushing season late, which usually begins in November, causes heavy losses for growers as their crops lose quality and the sowing of the next crop is also delayed. 

Sugar remains one of the largest consumed food commodities in Pakistan. In Pakistan, high sugar prices have often triggered public outcry and become flashpoints for opposition criticism, with recurring allegations of hoarding and cartelization, especially during election years or periods of economic volatility.

Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain chaired a meeting of the Sugar Advisory Board in Islamabad, during which it was decided that the crushing season would begin from Nov. 15. The meeting was attended by a delegation of the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA), cane commissioners from all provinces and representatives from the ministries of industries and commerce.

“Rana Tanveer Hussain emphasized that strict action will be taken against any sugar mill that fails to start crushing on the prescribed date,” the food ministry said. 

“Payment of dues to the farmers will be ensured before the commencement of crushing,” Hussain was quoted as saying by the ministry. “The government is making all decisions in the best interest of farmers to prevent their exploitation.”

The ministry said that the decision to begin crushing season from Nov. 15 was taken after comprehensive consultations with all provinces and the PSMA to ensure sugarcane growers do not face any difficulties. 

Sugar crisis made headlines in Pakistan in July this year when retailers and suppliers reported that prices of the commodity rose sharply to Rs200 [$0.71] per kilogram in many parts of the country. This happened despite the government’s announcement the same month that it had capped sugar’s retail price at Rs173 [$0.61] per kilogram. 

Experts have blamed weak enforcement of regulations by the government and a lack of transparency for the recurring sugar crisis that hits the country every year.