The Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission (BTTC) has attributed the instability in the country’s sugar market to “disorders in the supply chain,” specifically pointing out issues with sugar mills accepting orders beyond their capacity, leading to an artificial crisis for excessive profits. The BTTC’s report highlights problems such as chaos in the sugar supply system, disruptions in sugar supply from refineries, and the opportunity for syndicates to form due to the scarcity of sugar refineries in the country.
The report suggests measures to improve the situation, including avoiding over-ordering from mills, stabilizing mill gate prices, and reducing import duties. However, despite the government’s attempts to regulate the market, the retail price of sugar continues to increase. The market’s dependence on imports, coupled with rising global sugar prices, further contributes to the challenges faced in the sugar market. Efforts are needed to address the supply chain issues, establish price stability, and implement effective monitoring and regulation in order to stabilize the sugar market in Bangladesh.