Monday Seminar on Sugar Crisis in Pakistan: Causes

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Monday Seminar on Sugar Crisis in Pakistan: Causes, Consequences and Cure

INTRODUCTION
In Pakistan, sugar crisis is an annual feast for a select group of industrialists. The crisis is currently marked by sharp price hike, artificial shortage, and market instability. Despite the official claims of sufficient stocks, the retail prices of sugar have surged beyond the purchasing power of masses, raising alarms about inflation, misgovernance, and regulatory
failure.
A combination of structural issues, including poor sugarcane yield, reduced cultivation, export mismanagement, and market manipulation by the powerful actors, contributes to the volatility of situation. The recurring sugar price increase has not only burdened the consumers and farmers but also undermined the credibility of policy making institutions as
well as the market itself.
This seminar aims to bring together key stakeholders from the government, industry, professionals, civil society, media and general public to dig out the crisis and explore sustainable policy responses. SDPI economic and policy experts will also deliberate upon the issue in detail and suggest policy options to cope up the crisis.

Objectives:
• To diagnose the underlying causes of the current sugar crisis;
• To evaluate the crisis impact on consumers, farmers, and overall economy.
• To discuss the regulatory role of government bodies, including price control,
export/import policy, and hoarding prevention.
• To propose evidence-based, long-term solutions for a resilient and transparent
sugar sector in the country.

Key Themes for Discussion
• Trends in sugar production, consumption, and export over the past five years,
• Role of sugar mills and potential cartelization,
• Impact of government price control and enforcement mechanisms,
• Import policy and regional trade outlook,
• Agricultural supply chain inefficiencies,
• Consumer vulnerability and food security,
• Institutional reforms and governance.

Further details are as follows:
Date: Monday, July 21st, 2025
Time: 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Venue: SDPI Conference Hall / Zoom (Hybrid)
Organizer: Sustainable Development Policy Institute