We gave good price to growers when sugar price was good: Javed Kiyani

LAHORE (92 News) – Sugar Mills Association chairman Javed Kiyani has said that they had been giving a good price to growers when the sugar price was good. Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, he said that the system cannot function if the sugarcane price is fixed and sugar will remain at the mercy of the market. He said that the crushing season could not be started due to wrong policies of the government. “The government is responsible for exploiting the sugarcane growers and mill owners,” he said. Javed Kiyani said that three million tons of sugar is surplus in the country, which is not being exported. He said that 90 percent sugar mills make payments to growers. “The crushing season cannot be started if the government did not change its export policy,” he maintained. The Sugar Mills Association chairman said that they did not have money to pay for sugarcane. “The mills have surplus sugar. We have to make payments by November 30 and the government should clarify its policy,” he said. He said that nine mills have gone bankrupt, while four others have closed. “There will be no crushing on November 30 if a comprehensive policy was not introduced,” he added.