20000404

0.4m tonnes sugar

may be imported

this year

ISLAMABAD: The country is likely to import 400,000 tonnes sugar this year to bridge the gap between the production and consumption, an official of ministry of food said here on Monday.

The government has received the final figures of 2.5 million tonnes sugar production from the sugar mills, against the local consumption of 2.9 million tonnes.

Sources said that the country would have to import approximately 400,000 tonnes sugar through private sector during the year to meet the shortfall.

Due to low prices Ñ about Rs 9 per kg in the international market Ñ, import of sugar will not have any impact on the prices of sugar in the domestic market, they added.

Sources further said that sugar mills have urged the government to increase the import duties substantially.

The mills have requested the government that import tariff be structured in such a way that imported sugar price is not less than the indigenous product.

The country this year produced 46 million tonnes sugarcane as compared to the 55 million tonnes last year. The low sugarcane crop was mainly due to dry season in the country and non-payment of dues by the mills to the growers, sources added.ÑAPP