Sugar export Pakistan approval has been sought for 1 million tonnes, but officials said mills must guarantee domestic prices will not rise before any permission is granted.
Sugar mill owners submitted the export request to the Ministry of Industries and Production. Officials said the detailed sugar stock figures had already been submitted to the ministry for review.
Industry sources said exporting surplus sugar could earn Pakistan more than USD 1 billion in foreign exchange. They warned that mills may face financial losses if the government blocks exports while excess stock remains available.
Ministry sources said the federal government would not allow sugar exports without assurances of price from mill owners. Officials said the government wants guarantees to protect domestic consumers before approving any outward shipment.
Officials cited last year’s approval to export 700,000 tonnes of sugar as a factor that contributed to higher local prices. Sugar was later sold between Rs120 and Rs200 per kilogram in domestic markets.
The development comes after Pakistan reinstated an 18% sales tax on imported sugar through an official notification. The government had reduced the tax from 18% to 0.25% in August 2025 to improve domestic availability.
The tax concession applied only to sugar imported by the Trading Corporation of Pakistan under a government-approved plan. The plan covered the import of 500,000 tonnes of sugar.
