Sugar export to Afghanistan surges as prices rise in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: While sugar prices in Pakistan continue to soar, the country has witnessed an extraordinary increase in sugar export to Afghanistan.

During the first seven months of the current fiscal year (July 2024–January 2025), sugar exports to Afghanistan had surged by 4,332% on an annual basis. Sugar remains the largest export commodity from Pakistan to Afghanistan. According to government sources, sugar exports to Afghanistan had reached $262.7 million in the July–January period of FY2024-25, compared to just $5.9 million in the same period last year.

The current government had allowed the export of 750,000 metric tonnes of sugar between June and October 2024. In October 2024, the last approval was granted for exporting 500,000 metric tonnes of sugar.

Since late November, sugar prices in Pakistan have been steadily increasing, burdening consumers with billions of rupees in additional costs. According to official data, sugar prices in the country have increased by an average of Rs21.26 per kg over the past ten weeks, bringing the average price to Rs153.11 per kg. The highest recorded price of sugar in Pakistan was Rs160 per kg, whereas 10 weeks ago, the average price was Rs131.85 per kg.