ECC Approves Export of 108,000 Tonnes of Surplus Sugar

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet has approved the launch of international tenders to export 108,000 metric tonnes of surplus sugar held by the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP).

 

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb chaired the ECC meeting, where the committee approved a proposal from the Ministry of National Food Security and Research to export the remaining sugar from the 300,000 tonnes imported last year. The tender process will be conducted under the PPRA Rules 2004.

 

The decision comes amid debate over Pakistan’s growing sugar stocks. The Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) estimates that around 3.171 million tonnes of sugar were available in the country as of July 31, 2026.

 

Based on average monthly consumption of about 564,196 tonnes, the association estimates that around 1.974 million tonnes would be needed to meet domestic demand through November 15, leaving a potential surplus of approximately 1.197 million tonnes before the next crushing season.

 

PSMA has urged the government to allow exports of 633,000 tonnes immediately, while proposing that another 564,000 tonnes be maintained as a strategic one-month reserve before being exported after the 2026-27 crushing season begins.

 

The association expects sugar production to exceed 8 million tonnes in 2026-27, supported by another strong sugarcane crop, potentially increasing the surplus further.