Last year’s decision to allow sugar exports was taken against the backdrop of surplus production. His explanation of why sugar exports were allowed, followed later by limited imports, underscores a reality that policymakers frequently face: managing agriculture in a climate-vulnerable, data-deficient and politically sensitive environment requires flexibility, not rigid dogma. Importantly, the minister acknowledged what many consumers experienced: sugar prices were pushed up by manipulation from some manufacturers and producers. Equally significant is the government’s move towards end-to-end deregulation of the sugar sector, based on the recommendations of a high-level committee chaired by Sardar Awais Leghari. Finally, the minister’s warning about excessive sugar consumption and its link to diabetes reflects a mature understanding that food policy is also health policy.
