Rawalpindi: The Central Grocery Merchants Association has issued a formal protest to the federal government over the worsening sugar crisis, slamming current pricing policies and warning of a possible suspension of sugar sales if wholesale prices continue to surge unchecked, according to the media report.
In a letter addressed to authorities, Association highlighted that the price of a 50 kg sugar sack in the wholesale market is rising by (PKR) Rs 100 every other day. Wholesale prices have now climbed to Rs 174–177 per kg, while retail rates have soared to Rs 190 per kg. If the trend continues, they warned, the price could soon touch Rs 200 per kg.
The association criticised district administrations for forcing retailers to sell sugar at Rs 164 per kg, a price they say is unrealistic under current market conditions.
“At Rs 177 per kg in the wholesale market, and with an additional Rs 13 per kg cost for transportation, loading, unloading, and packaging, selling at Rs 164 means an outright loss,” the letter stated.
The merchants has asked the government to take immediate steps to stabilise sugar prices and address the underlying causes of the crisis. They warned that if price pressures remain unaddressed, they will be forced to stop selling sugar altogether.
