FINANCIAL PROFITABILITY OF WHITE SUGAR PRODUCTION IN PAKISTAN.

The sugar industry in Pakistan is the second largest agro-based industry after textile. The calculation of ex-factory production cost of sugar supports the sugarcane support price programme in the country. The present paper aimed at up-dating the financial profitability of white sugar on the basis of recent data in the country. The total cost of white sugar production was Rs. 50.11kg-1 in Pakistan. The estimated financial profit of white sugar production was Rs. 2.47 kg-1 in the country in 2012-13. The estimated supply and demand of white sugar was worked out as 6.62 and 5.01 m t, respectively during the same period. The per capita availability (consumption kg person-1 year-1) was 27.18 in Pakistan. Urgent research efforts are required to ensure development of improved varieties of sugarcane with higher sucrose recovery. Effective measures are needed for disease control and optimal pesticide use. Adequate supply of water, optimal use of fertilizer and judicious use of pesticides can improve yield and hence higher financial profitability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]