All sugar mills will begin crushing season from 21st of this month.

It was decided during a meeting of Sugar Advisory Board chaired by the Federal Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain in Islamabad today.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said action will be taken against mills that fail to start crushing by the announced date.

He confirmed that all payments to farmers will be made before the start of the crushing season and if mills do not pay the dues to farmers, their export licenses will be revoked.

Upon the request of Pakistan Sugar Mills Association for permission to export additional sugar, the minister said that the government cannot grant further permission until the first export quota is completed.

Besides, the Sugar Advisory Board reviewed the estimates for the sugarcane crop and the overall stock position of sugar for the upcoming crushing season. The board expressed satisfaction with the current sugar prices in the local market.