OUR sugar industry is expected to have a record production of sugar during the current cane crushing campaign (2011-12 ) estimated at 5.5 million tons. With the last season (2010-11) carryover/buffer stock of above 500,000 tons, there will be a surplus of more than 1.5 million tons of sugar in the country. This considering an annual domestic sugar consumption of 4.2-4.5 million tons. At present sugar is being sold at Rs 40-45 per kg which is lower by 40-50 per cent than the previous two years, and also much lower than the international market.

The government may consider allowing export of surplus white refined sugar, at least one million tons on a priority basis. It will not only help the cash-starved sugar industry and cane farmers but also the government, which will earn more than $500m in foreign exchange.

H. A. NAQVI Ex-President, Pakistan Society of Sugar Technologists, Lahore Cantt