The Commissioner attributes the improved performance to strict enforcement of laws and regulations
Islamabad:
Punjab’s sugar mills produced 1.36 million metric tonnes of sugar during the first 45 days of the ongoing crushing season, and the 41 operational mills in the province processed a total of 15.06 million metric tonnes of cane till December 31, 2025.
According to data obtained by Wealth Pakistan from the office of sugarcane commissioner Punjab, the average sugar recovery rate during the first 45 days of crushing improved to 9.43%, from 9.01% recorded in the same period last year. The improvement is attributed to better quality cane and improved mill efficiency.
The total availability of sugar in the province, including carry-over stocks, currently stands at 1.47 million metric tonnes. Of these, 625,341 tonnes have already been sold, representing 42.41% of total availability and marking an improvement of 3.84 percentage points compared to the corresponding period last year.
Year-on-year figures show sugar mills processed an additional 1.14 million metric tonnes of cane and produced 156,590 metric tonnes more sugar compared to the previous season.
Punjab Cane Commissioner Amjad Hafeez told Wealth Pakistan that the improved performance was largely due to stricter implementation of relevant laws and regulations. “The situation has improved significantly this season due to effective monitoring and compliance,” he said.
The commissioner said farmers had so far procured sugarcane worth Rs98.8 billion, of which Rs87 billion had already been paid, reflecting a payment compliance rate of 88%. Farmers got an average price of Rs 401 per 40 kg of sugarcane this season, compared to Rs 387 in the previous year.
Sugar millers maintain that the crushing season is progressing smoothly across the province, ensuring adequate availability of sugar at stable prices.
Former Pakistan Sugar Mills Association central president Javed Kiyani said the current phase represents the peak sales season for millers and hoped that both growers and millers would benefit.
He noted that the price of sugar in Punjab had come down to Rs 139 per kg, compared to Rs 134 per kg in Sindh, and it may drop further in the coming days.
According to sugar traders, the ex-mill price could fall to around Rs 130 per kg or slightly higher if the current rate of crushing continues.
Lahore Sugar Traders Association President Muhammad Amjad said retail prices could fall below Rs 150 per kg if market conditions remain stable.
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