KARACHI ( The COW News Digital) Sugar mill owners in Karachi have halted the supply of sugar to the city’s wholesale markets, raising fears of a sharp increase in prices and triggering concerns of an artificial crisis. Since Tuesday, sugar deliveries to major wholesale grocers have been suspended, disrupting normal market operations.
Raouf Ibrahim, Chairman of the Wholesale Grocers Association, reported that as of September 8, the ex-mill price of sugar in wholesale markets was PKR 175 per kilogram, while the retail wholesale price stood at PKR 179 per kilogram. With imported sugar consignments expected to take at least three weeks to reach Pakistan, the immediate shortage has heightened concerns over escalating costs.
According to market insiders, sugar mill owners are deliberately creating an artificial scarcity to sell their existing stockpiles at higher prices. This move has left wholesale markets without fixed rates for sugar, creating uncertainty among traders and consumers.
Raouf Ibrahim emphasized that the sudden disruption in supply could result in an abrupt spike in sugar prices, affecting households and small businesses across Karachi. He warned that if corrective measures are not taken swiftly, the price of sugar could reach unprecedented levels in the coming days.
The Wholesale Grocers Association has called on the federal government to intervene immediately and ensure that sugar mills resume normal supply to the markets. The association stressed the need for strict action against any attempt to manipulate the market and exploit consumers through artificial shortages.
Ibrahim further noted that sugar prices in Karachi could set a precedent for other major cities, potentially triggering nationwide inflation in the commodity. With the festive season approaching, uninterrupted supply is crucial to prevent public panic and maintain market stability.
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Authorities are monitoring the situation closely, with market analysts warning that hoarding and deliberate disruption of sugar distribution could have serious repercussions on food security and household budgets. The federal government is expected to hold emergency consultations with provincial authorities and sugar industry stakeholders to address the looming crisis.
Consumers have been urged to remain calm, avoid panic buying, and report any illegal price manipulation or hoarding activities to relevant authorities. Experts emphasize that coordinated action and timely enforcement are essential to restore normalcy in the sugar market and prevent further economic strain on Karachi’s population.
If not addressed promptly, the suspension of sugar supply could trigger both a price surge and a public backlash, making government intervention critical in maintaining confidence and market stability.
