Islamabad(The COW News Digital) Pakistan’s sugar prices have surged to their highest levels on record, according to the latest report issued by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). The data, released on 14 November 2025, paints a troubling picture for consumers already grappling with rising inflation and shrinking purchasing power.
The PBS report reveals that the maximum retail price of sugar has climbed to Rs229 per kilogram, marking one of the steepest increases witnessed in recent months. The sharpest spike was recorded in Quetta, where sugar prices jumped by Rs19 per kilogram within a single week, rising from Rs210 to Rs229 per kg. This places Quetta at the top of the list of cities where consumers are paying the highest price for sugar nationwide.
Other major cities have also reported elevated sugar rates. In Peshawar, the maximum price has reached Rs200 per kilogram, while Karachi and Islamabad both reported a maximum price of Rs195 per kilogram. Meanwhile, Rawalpindi recorded a slightly lower but still significant maximum price of Rs190 per kilogram.
Despite these city-specific highs, the Bureau’s data shows an unusual trend at the national level. The average price of sugar has actually decreased slightly, dropping by Rs2.01 per kilogram during the past week. As per the report, the national average sugar price now stands at Rs185.47 per kilogram, compared to Rs187.48 recorded the previous week.
However, when compared with the same period last year, the situation appears far more alarming. The PBS highlighted that the average sugar price one year ago was Rs132.24 per kilogram, showing a dramatic year-on-year increase of more than Rs53 per kilogram. This substantial rise underscores the deepening inflationary pressures and supply-chain imbalances impacting essential commodities.
Experts attribute the current price escalation to multiple factors, including production challenges, hoarding, speculative trading, and inconsistent regulatory oversight. Market analysts warn that without timely government intervention and strict monitoring of stock levels, sugar prices may continue their upward trajectory in the coming weeks.
Consumers, particularly in low-income households, are feeling the brunt of these soaring prices as sugar remains a staple ingredient in daily consumption. The PBS report serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for policy measures to stabilize the market and safeguard public welfare.
