Business

PSMA criticizes duty-free sugar imports, demands protection for local industry

Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) has opposed the government’s decision to import 0.3 MMT sugar, warning it will damage farmers and mills despite ample local stocks and flood-hit sugarcane crops. The association criticized tax-free imports, subsidies, and portal closures, urging policies to protect the local sugar industry.

The Tribune International Posted on 2 months ago

Share it

66 / 100

SEO Score

By Our Correspondent

LAHORE: Reacting to the government’s decision of not importing more than 0.3 MMT of sugar, the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association has said that the sugar industry had been reiterating right from the beginning that importing sugar when there are abundant stocks of sugar in the country tantamounts to destroying farmers and the sugar industry.

In a statement, the PSMA spokesman said that the government is importing 0.3 MMT of sugar, which was not needed from the beginning, but the government completely ignored the appeals of the sugar industry in this regard. There are ample stocks of sugar available in the country as of 18th November, 2025 and these stocks need to be disposed of for the sugar industry to come out of the financial crisis.

The floodwaters are still standing in the farmers’ crops and until they recede, how will sugarcane harvesting be possible. The government should assess the dire situation in this regard. In addition, sugar is being imported tax and duty-free and the government is also providing further subsidies on it, which would cause severe imbalance in the market.

The spokesman said that the government often closes the FBR portal of the mills so that imported sugar could be sold. The government is requested to take conclusive decisions considering betterment of the farmers and the sugar industry.