Islamabad, March 12, 2025 – Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, chaired an important meeting on Wednesday to review the potential import of raw sugar as part of the government’s strategy to stabilize domestic sugar prices and provide relief to consumers.
This meeting was convened following the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has prioritized food security and price control as key policy objectives.
The session was attended by Minister of Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) for Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan, and other senior government officials. During the meeting, extensive discussions were held on the viability, benefits, and potential economic impact of importing raw sugar.
Rana Tanveer Hussain highlighted the importance of raw sugar imports in maintaining a steady supply of refined white sugar in the local market. He stated that bringing in raw sugar could play a significant role in preventing market volatility, ensuring affordability for consumers, and supporting the domestic sugar industry by offering additional processing opportunities.
The committee carefully examined various international trade models to evaluate how other countries manage raw sugar imports to maintain price stability. Experts presented case studies on global best practices and discussed mechanisms that could be adopted to ensure the efficient and transparent procurement of raw sugar.
Rana Tanveer directed the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough feasibility study to assess the short-term and long-term impacts of raw sugar imports on local sugarcane farmers, the refining industry, and overall economic sustainability. He emphasized that while stabilizing prices is a key objective, the interests of domestic growers and industry stakeholders must also be safeguarded.
The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing inflationary pressures by implementing pragmatic policies in the food security sector. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the government continues to explore strategic interventions, such as the import of raw sugar, to prevent artificial shortages and protect consumers from price hikes.
As deliberations continue, the authorities will develop a detailed framework to ensure that raw sugar imports serve as an effective tool for maintaining price stability while aligning with broader economic and agricultural policies.