Punjab farmers begin spring sugarcane sowing as mills crush over 70% of current crop

Farmers in Punjab have begun sowing the spring sugarcane crop within the recommended February–March window, following the crushing of more than 70 percent of the current season’s crop by 41 sugar mills across the province.

According to Dr Kashif Munir, Director of the Sugarcane Research Institute (SRI) Faisalabad, spring sowing accounts for roughly 70 percent of total sugarcane cultivation in Punjab. He noted that September sowing contributes 10–15 percent, with the remainder produced through ratoon crops, which regrow from underground stubble after harvest.

Dr Munir recommended varieties for this season include CPF-253, CP-77-400, HSF-240, and CPF-237, while newly approved varieties FDP-254, S2016, and S-284 are also available. He said prevailing weather conditions are favourable for spring cultivation.

Farmers, however, noted that mills prefer September-grown cane for its higher sucrose content and longer 15-month maturity, compared with the 10-month spring crop. Ebadur Rehman Khan, Director of Farmers Associates Pakistan, said autumn sowing reduces farmers’ cropping cycles, potentially causing losses despite higher mill returns.

Punjab’s sugar industry has seen notable improvement this season. Cane Commissioner Punjab Amjad Hafeez reported that mills have crushed 30.83 million tons of sugarcane, producing 2.93 million tons of sugar, up from 28.60 million tons and 2.59 million tons last year. The average recovery rate has risen to 9.69 percent, compared with 9.18 percent in 2024–25.

Carry-forward sugar stocks have dropped sharply to 0.11 million tons from 0.60 million tons last year, bringing total sugar availability in the province to 3.04 million tons. Of this, 1.20 million tons have been sold, leaving a closing balance of 1.83 million tons.

The provincial average sugarcane price for growers is Rs460 per 40 kg, ranging from Rs400 in Kot Addu and Sargodha to Rs580 in Mianwali. Ex-mill sugar prices currently range between Rs142–146 per kg, while retail prices are observed between Rs145–160 per kg; Punjab Bureau of Statistics reports provincial prices from Rs145–170 per kg (as of Feb 2, 2026).

Regarding payments to growers, mills have purchased sugarcane worth Rs342.53 billion, of which Rs317.46 billion has been paid. The outstanding balance of Rs25.08 billion represents a payment clearance rate of 92.68 percent.