KARACHI (Kashmir Digital): The sugar crisis has caused a dramatic surge in sugar price across the country and the open market.
The cost of sugar at wholesale has gone up by Rs 6 per kilogram.
Reports state that sugar is currently being sold for between Rs 170 and Rs 176 per kilogram, while the open market price is between Rs 200 and Rs 220 per kilogram.
The government has done nothing to guarantee that sugar is sold at set pricing. The scenario has caused significant alarm among the populace.
They call on the government to act quickly to lower sugar prices and stop the commodity’s illegal selling.
Earlier, the federal government on Monday fixed the ex-mill sugar price at Rs165 per kilogram, aimed at providing relief to consumers during the surge in retail prices.
According to the Ministry of National Food Security statement, the government and the sugar industry have reached an agreement on the new ex-mill price of the commodity. The decision came after the prices climbed to as high as Rs200 per kg in several parts of the country.
“All provincial governments will ensure the availability of cheap sugar to the public at the newly fixed rate,” the statement read.
Despite this agreement, sugar prices in open markets continue to rise as the commodity is being sold at prices far exceeding the new ex-mill rate.
The ministry officials blame the surging prices on alleged collusion among the “sugar mafia,” which is accused of hoarding and manipulating supply to inflate prices.
