Punjab has reported a notable increase in sugar production during the current 2025-26 crushing season. Sugar mills across the province have processed a substantial amount of sugarcane, resulting in higher output compared to last year.
Crushing Season Progress and Production Figures
So far, sugar mills in Punjab have crushed 24.89 million metric tons of sugarcane. This effort has yielded 2.329 million metric tons of refined sugar, which is 266,000 metric tons more than the previous season.
Government Measures and Farmer Payments
Dr. Kiran Khurshid, Secretary of Food Safety and Consumer Protection, attributed the smooth crushing operations at 41 sugar mills to timely interventions by the Punjab government. She noted that the increase in sugar production reflects the effectiveness of the provincial government’s policies.
Under a farmer-friendly approach, over Rs229.46 billion has been disbursed to sugarcane growers, accounting for 92.57 percent of total payments. This is an improvement compared to the 87.81 percent payment rate recorded last season.
Market Prices and Anti-Hoarding Efforts
The current ex-mill price of sugar in Punjab ranges between Rs138 and Rs148 per kilogram. In the market, sugar is available in sufficient quantities at prices between Rs145 and Rs160 per kilogram.
The Punjab government is actively working to maintain sugar availability at officially fixed prices. A crackdown on hoarders and profiteers is underway, with 501 cases registered and 4,029 individuals arrested for illegal profiteering activities.
Commitment to Farmers’ Financial Stability
Dr. Khurshid emphasized that the government is committed to utilizing all available resources to ensure full and timely payments to sugarcane farmers. This effort aims to provide farmers with financial stability and secure their rightful dues.
