Sugar mill owners have once again approached the government for permission to export sugar. They have requested approval to ship 1 million tons after claiming surplus stock in the domestic market. Consequently, a sugar crisis could repeat if authorities grant this request without careful verification. The Pakistan Sugar Mills Association has submitted production and stock data to the government. The association claims total sugar production currently stands at 7.8 million tons.

The association stated that nearly 1 million tons remain surplus and should receive export approval. Government officials have started reviewing the figures provided by sugar mills and the cane commissioner. Authorities suspect that around 300,000 tons of imported sugar may also appear in the stock data submitted by the industry. Therefore, a sugar crisis could repeat if the industry has inflated its surplus numbers.

After completing the review process, a committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar will decide whether to allow fresh sugar exports. Officials are examining the actual availability of sugar stocks before taking a final decision. Last year, sugar mills also received export permission after declaring excess stock in the country. However, exports later contributed to a shortage in the local market, which pushed sugar prices sharply higher across Pakistan.

The government eventually had to import sugar to stabilize supplies and control prices in the domestic market. Meanwhile, the government has already circulated a policy proposal aimed at deregulating the sugar sector. Under this proposal, mills would gain greater freedom in deciding sugar exports in the future. If the 2025 pattern repeats, a sugar crisis could leave consumers paying much higher prices again.