After sugar mills in Punjab crushed more than 70% of the current season’s crop, farmers across the province have already started spring sugarcane sowing (February–March). Favorable weather conditions are supporting field activities and encouraging growers to move ahead with fresh planting.
Approximately 70% of Punjab’s sugarcane area consists of spring sowing, while September sowing accounts for 10–15% and the remaining share comes from ratoon crops. Farmers are actively planting recommended varieties such as CPF-253, CP-77-400, HSF-240, and CPF-237, along with newly approved varieties including FDP-254, S-2016, and S-284. Although current weather conditions favor spring planting, mills generally prefer September-sown cane because it offers higher sucrose content and completes a 15-month maturity cycle, compared to the 10-month spring crop. However, autumn sowing shortens crop rotation cycles for farmers and may create financial risks despite offering higher recovery for mills.
At the same time, total sugar availability in Punjab stands at 3.04 million tons because of lower carryover stocks of 0.60 million tons compared to last year 0.11 million tons, tightening overall supply. Out of the total stock, the market has already absorbed 1.20 million tons, leaving an ending balance of 1.83 million tons reflecting active trading and improved stock management across the province.
The provincial average sugarcane price stands at PKR 460 per 40 kg, with regional variations:
- PKR 400 in Kot Addu and Sargodha.
- PKR 580 in Mianwali.
While current sugar prices in the market stands at PKR 140–143 per. According to the Punjab Bureau of Statistics, retail prices range between PKR 145–160 per kg across districts.
During the ongoing season, sugar mills purchased sugarcane worth PKR 342.53 billion and have already paid PKR 317.46 billion to farmers, leaving outstanding dues of PKR 25.08 billion. The industry has maintained a 92.68% payment clearance rate, showing improved financial management compared to previous years.
This season, Punjab’s sugar industry has improved its overall performance, as mills crushed 30.83 million tons of sugarcane and produced 2.93 million tons of sugar, compared to 28.60 million tons of cane and 2.59 million tons of sugar last year. Mills also increased the average sugar recovery rate to 9.69%, up from 9.18% in 2024–25, reflecting stronger operational efficiency across the province’s 41 sugar mills.
