ISLAMABAD: A meeting of the Sugar Advisory Board was held on Thursday in which the overall situation of sugar reserves across the country was reviewed.
Federal Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain presided over the meeting and Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan also participated in it.
The Board reviewed the cane crop estimates and overall sugar stock position for the upcoming crushing season. The board expressed satisfaction with the current prices of sugar in the domestic market. Hussain highlighted the downward trend in sugar prices in the local market.
In the meeting, it was decided that all the sugar mills will start crushing from November 21 and action will be taken against the mills that do not start crushing by 21st.
The minister said that all payments to the farmers would be made before the start of the crushing season. He added that if the mills did not pay the dues to the farmers, their export licenses would be cancelled.
Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) has requested permission to export surplus sugar. The minister said that the government cannot allow more until the first export quota is completed.
