ISLAMABAD: Crushing season 2021,22 has commenced in Sindh and Punjab at a positive note as the growers are getting fixed pirce of Rs 225 per 40 kg of their produce. In some areas, the growers are reportedly demanding more than fixed price of their produce
Accroding to a miller, who did not want to be named, while talking to this correspondent said the growers were getting more than fixed price of sugarcane in Sindh.
“The growers are not supplying sugarcane in most areas of Punjab, hoping to get more price of their produce in coming days, another miller of Punjab claimed.
Punjab Cane Commissioner, Zaman Watto, confirmed to NEWSMAN by phone from Lahore on Thursday that almost all mills in northern Punjab have started crushing as per announced schesule from November 15, 2021 and 8 mills in central Punjab have also reported the start of the crushing season as of November 18, 2021.
With the start of crushing season, sugar rates have started to slide down to bring relief to the end consumers. Sugar rates that had gone up to Rs 150 plus at retail level in October last have slided down to Rs 110 per kg as of November 15, 2021.
Industry source said after entering into the crushing, ex- factory rates have been fixed at Rs 95 per kg. From the mills to the market a chain of wholesale dealers, sub- dealers and retailers as well as transportation charges cost additional Rs 10 in the retail price of the commodity.
At ex factory of Rs 95 , a kg sugar should be available in the retail market at Rs 105 per kg. But profiteering is at work. The profiteers have jacked up sugar rates for retail market at Rs 115. Additional Rs 10 in the commodity price was being pocketed by market distortionists.
Chaudhary Salim , an Islamabad- based retailer, told this correspondent that wholesale dealers were selling sugar at Rs 110 and its available at retail level in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad at Rs 115 per kg.
