Pakistan’s decision to allow sugar exports is reasonable only if the country genuinely has a surplus. Exporting excess stock can bring foreign exchange and support the sugar industry, but the government must learn from the past. Exporting sugar today and importing it later at a much higher price would serve neither the state nor the consumer.
Before allowing further exports, the government should have a clear and reliable assessment of domestic requirements, expected production and the stock needed for the coming months. Pakistan should not earn from exports today only to spend more importing the same sugar tomorrow.
Sajid Awan
Dubai, UAE
