The International Sugar Organization (ISO), London has warned that sugar is going to be in even shorter supply than forecast this year as global output falls. This is because of lower output in India, Thailand, Brazil and the European Union. The ISO has said it expected global sugar output of 166.8 million tonnes in 2015/16, down from 171.2 million tonnes in 2014/15. The production in 2015/16 is expected to be the third consecutive season of shrinking global output, for the first time since 2008/09 the production fall is so pronounced as to exceed 4 million tonnes. The ISO expects global consumption of 171.9 million tonnes in 2015/16, compared with 168.9 million tonnes in 2014/15. Analysts are scaling back sugar output forecasts for India and Thailand because of drought-eroded yields, increasing the likelihood of upward revisions to global deficit forecasts for the 2015/16 season.
In view of the above, Pakistan stands at a good position to export the surplus sugar stocks, provided problems of the Sugar Mills Association are addressed. However, interests of all stake-holders, including farmers and consumers, must be safeguarded.
KHAN FARAZ,
Peshawar, April 11.