Peshawar (Naimat Ullah) Sugar prices across Pakistan, including Peshawar, have soared to unprecedented levels, further straining the budgets of ordinary citizens. In Peshawar, the price of a 50-kilogram bag has reached Rs 8,900, while wholesale rates stand at Rs 178 per kilogram and retail prices have hit Rs 200 per kilogram.
Market sources attribute the surge to reduced sugar supply, warning that if shortages persist, the price of a 50-kilogram bag could soon exceed Rs 9,000. Dealers are concerned that supply constraints and hoarding by traders could push prices even higher.
The federal government’s crackdown on sugar mills and stockpilers has shown partial results in some areas. According to the Wholesale Grocers Association, fear of punitive action has prompted hoarders to release sugar into the market at an ex-mill price of Rs 165 per kilogram, which could potentially lower retail prices to around Rs 175 per kilogram in the near term.
However, in open markets, the shortage remains severe. Residents report that sugar is unavailable at many grocery stores, and where it is available, it is often sold only to acquaintances. In central Peshawar, sugar is being sold for Rs 190–200 per kilogram, while in surrounding rural areas, prices have climbed as high as Rs 210 per kilogram.
Citizens express frustration, likening the challenge of buying sugar to purchasing gold. “Inflation has destroyed the kitchen budget,” lamented Muhammad Younas, a retired government employee, who urged the government to go beyond issuing statements and to enforce strict monitoring of shopkeepers and mill owners.
The Merchants Association reports that out of more than 18,000 small and large grocery shops in Peshawar, many are not receiving sugar supplies, which are instead being diverted to sweet shops and bakeries. The association has called for engaging flour dealers in sugar distribution to ensure supply reaches every neighborhood.
Public opinion strongly favors urgent action. Many believe that if the government restores the supply chain and continues its tough stance against hoarders, the crisis could be resolved within days. Without intervention, however, sugar prices may spiral further out of reach for the average household, adding to the already severe inflationary pressures gripping the country.
