BUSE China sugar production seen at lowest in 7 years” * NEW YORK: Sugar pro- duction in China, one of the world’s largest consumers of the sweetener, is seen falling to 9 million tonnes in 2022/23 season (Oct-Sept), more than half a million tonnes smaller than in the previous crop and the lowest — in seven years. According to a report released on Friday by broker and supply chain services provider Czarnikow, dry weather in the main sugar- cane province of Guangxi was the main reason for the’ ESS | RECORDER NEWS no CLIPPINGS BY \ PSMA ay QF smaller production in the cur- rent crop. Czarnikow ana- lyst Rosa Li said that as a result of the poor crop, the local. supply deficit will rise to 6.5 million tonnes, the sec- ond-highest ever: Thie analyst said China will have to boost imports of raw and liquid sugar to balance local sup- plies, particularly due to increased consumption after the end of COVID-19 pan- demic-related restrictions. ‘ Czarnikow estimates China will import 5.4 million tonnes - of sugar in 2022/23, and believes sugar smuggling will increase. Sugar prices on Friday hit the highest level in more than six years as other countries as well faced problems with production.—ReutersBUSINESS. | / news \ RECORDER ((cuPriies ay oun] PSMA (Pz) Prices of Sari kitchen items show mixed trend ABDUL RASHEED AZAD ISLAMABAD: The prices of essential kitchen items have witnessed a mixed trend during this week past against the previous week, revealed a survey carried out by Business Recorder here on Saturday. "The survey observed an increase in sugar, eggs, B- grade cooking oil-ghee and wheat flour prices, while reduction in the prices of chicken, vegetables, fruits, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). The survey observed ‘no changes in the prices of fine quality ghee-cooking, pulses, spices, packed milk, rice, cooked food items, detergents, and bathing soap. According to traders, the prices of vegetables, fruits and other Ramazan specific items prior to one week almost increased two folds but after the passage of 10 days of the month, the fruit and.-vegetables prices have trinemed a sion rao. "Traian date prices went down from Rs500 per kg to R450 per kg, local date price ‘went down from Rs250 to Rs220 per kg, basin price ‘went down from Rs300 per gto Rs270 perky. Chicken price went down from R¥14,000 per 40kg in the wholesale market to Rs12,000, which in retail, is being sold at Rs315 per kg, against Rs360 per kg, while chicken meat is being sold at Rs490 per kg against Rs530 per kg, egg price went up from 6,000 per carton of 30 dozens to 6,500 per car- ton, while in retail, eggs are being sold in the range of ‘Rs256-270 per dozen against s240-260 per dozen. Wheat flour price wit- nessed an increase as best quality wheat flour price fur- ther went up from Rs2,110 per 15kg bag to Rs2,300, ‘which in retail is being sold at Rs2,350 per 15kg bag against Rs2,140. Normal quality ‘wheat foie bag i being sold at Rs2,280 per 1Skg bag against Rs2,050 in the whole- sale market, which in retail is being sold at Rs2,320 against Rs2,070 per bag. ‘No changes were observed in tea prices as Lipton Yellow Label tea is available at Rs2,050 per pack and Islamabad tea at Rs1,750, powder chilli price went up from Rs720 per kg to Rs800 per kg, and turmeric powder price went up from Rs360 per kg to Rs600 per kg. ‘Sugar price went up from Rs5,150 per 50kg bag to Rs5,500 per bag, which in retail is being sold at Rs120 per kg against Rs110 per kg. ‘The LPG prices witnessed a significant reduction but deal- rs as yet have not passed on the benefit to the end con- sumers and the commodity is stil being sold at R390 per kg which is Rs175 higher than the OGRA’s fixed price of S215 per kg, No changes were observed in spices prices as nor size of a spice pack is avail able at Rs100 per pack, pre- pared tea cup is available at Rs60 per cup, a plate of cooked daa! at a normal hotel is available at Rs200 per plate, cooked vegetable at Rs200 per plate, and roti price remained stable at Rs20 per roti, however, tandoor ‘owners have reduced the size of the roti. Rice prices remained stable as best quality basmati rice is available at Rs12,800 per 40kg bag, while the retailers are selling at Rs350 per kg, normal quality Basmati at Rs10,500 per 40kg bag, which in retail is being sold at Rs300 per kg, and Broken ‘Basmati rice price at Rs7,000 per bag, which in retail is being soldat Rs180 per ke. Ghee-cooking oil prices witnessed a mixed trend as B-Grade ghee/cooking oil price went up from Rs6,300 per carton of 16 packs to 'R6,750 per carton, which in retail is varying from Rs450 perky to Rs500 per-pack of 900 grams. While best quali- ty cooking oil-ghee brands such as Dalda prices remained stable at Rs2,950 per 5 litre pack, Pulses prices remained unchanged as best quality maash is available at Rs440 per kg, gram pulse is being sold at Rs240 per kg, whole gram pulse is being sold at S380 per kg, bean lentil at Rs400 per kg, moong at R280 per kg, and masoor at S240 perkg. Packed milk prices remained unchanged as small Milk Pak and other brands are available at Rs70 per pack, while one litte pack is available at Rs240. Fresh milk price remained stable at Rs190 per kg and yoghurt prices at Rs200 per kg. Detergents prices witnessed ‘no changes. Overall, vegetables prices witnessed a decreasing trend as ginger is available at Rs2,600 per Skg against Rs2,800 per Skg in the wholesale market, which in retail is being sold at Rs720 per kg against Rs750 per kg, local garlic price went down ffom R800 por Sug to 5700 per Skg in the wholesale mar- ket which in retail is being sold at Rs180 per kg against 1Rs200 per kg, and China gar- lic price went up from Rs1,500 per Skg to Rs1,700 in the wholesale market, which in retail is available at Potatoes price went down from Rs180-270 per Skg to Rs135-220 per Skg in wholesale which in retail are being sold at Rs40-60 per ke against Rs45-65 per kg, tomato prices went down from Rs400-650 per Skg in wholesale market to Rs300- 400 per Skg which in retail are being sold at Rs70-100 against Rs90-140 per kg against and onions prices ‘went down from Rs500-800 per 5kg to Rs350-550 per Skg-which in retail are being sold in:the range of Rs80- 130 per kg against Rs110- 180 perke. Capsicum price went down to Rs75 per kg from Rs120-140 per kg, pumpkin prices remained stable at Rs80 per kg, yam price also remained unchanged at Rs160 per kg, cauliflower price in wholesale market went down to Rs325 per Skg from Rs450 which in retail is being sold in the range of Rs70-75 per kg against Rs1 10-120 per kg, and cabbage price went down from Rs150 per Skg to Rsi20 in retail is being sold at Rs40 per kg against Rsd5 per kg. Bitter gourd price went down from Rs160 per kg to Rs110 per kg, fresh bean price remained stable at RS750 per in wholesale market which in retail-are being sold at Rs180 per kg and peas price is stable at Rs500 per kg which in retail are being sold at Rs130 per kg, ‘Best quality bananas price went down ftom Re4S0 per dozen to Rs400 per dozen and normal quality bananas price went down to Rs180- 200 per dozen from Rs250- 300 per dozen, guava price ‘went further up fiom Rs220 per kg to Rs240 per ke, Tranian kala killo apple is available in the range of Rs250-370 against Rs350- 450 per kg, white apples are available in the range of Rs120-170 against Rsi50- 200 per kg, and grapes are available at Rs300 per kg against Re400 per kg Different types of oranges ae available in the range of Rs120-325 per dozen against Rs140-425 per dozen, while Iranian pomegranate are available at Rs400 per kg against Rs600 per kg. However, the survey ‘observed that due to ineffec- tive monitoring by the spe- cial price control magistrates, and other relevant depart- ments, the retailers are free to charge their own prices of vegetables and fruits- DAWN 00-04. DAR NEWS CLIPPINGS BY PSMA (PZ) Va Inflation sets another record, hits 35.4pe in March Highest annual rise in prices driven mainly by skyrocketing costs of food, electricity, beverages and transport By Mubarak Zeb’ ISLAMABAD: Consumer infla- tion raced to 35.4 per cent in March, the highest annual rise in prices on record, driven mainly by skyrocketing costs of food, elec- tricity, beverage and “transport, official data showed on Saturday. Poor citizens are already feel- ing the brunt of such high infla- tion, which has become unrelent- ing on the back of a messy cock- tail of factors like political insta- bility, years of financial mismanagement, the rupee’s depreciation, and as the govern- ment scrambled to meet IMF con- ditions to ‘unlock a desperately “needed bailout. ‘At least 20" pedplé” have been vlkilled since the start of Ramazan in crowd crushes at food distribution centres across the country. “The way inflation is rising, I believe a famine_like situation has been sim- mering,” Shahida Wizarat, a Karachi-based analyst, told AFP. The March inflation number was the highest annual rate since available data, ie. July 1965, according to the research firm a Lee) Sus assed re Arif Habib Ltd, and is expected to rise in the coming months. A. spokesperson for the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics con- firmed that “this is the highest ever inflation recorded in the data we have”, Reuters reported. ‘Monthly inflation — measured by a basket of products and ser- vices-called the Consumer Price Index (CPI) — stayed above 20pe for eight months from June to January. It then hit 31.6pc in February and has now crossed 35pe. The reading was 12.7pc in March last year. However, when compared to the previous month, inflation slightly slowed but was still high at 3.7pc in March, data showed. Higher prices of food, cooking oil and electricity pushed up the index. The goods and services in the _CPI basket are divided into 12 major components with different < weights. Of them, costs in three categories — food and non-alco- “holic beverages, transport, and recreation and culture — jumped by.around half when compared to March last year. The index for the “alcoholic bev- erages and tobacco” category saw the highest annual jump, at 140pc, | though its weight in the CPI is Ipe compared to food's 35pc. Annual food inflation in March was 47.1pe and 50.2pe for urban and rural areas, respectively, data, said. Core inflation, which strips out food and energy, stood at 18.6pc in urban areas and Conitinued on Page 5DAWN O2-AU- 29d" CLIPPINGS BY NEWS PSMA (PZ) Inflation sets another record, hits 35.4pc in March Continued from Page 1 (56pc), wheat products ’ prices saw the highest 23.1pcin rural areas. Overall inflation’ in urban and rural areas increased to 33pc and 38.9pc year-on-year, respectively. With the latest increase in CPI, average inflation , has reached 27.3pc this fiscal year compared to 10.8pc in the previous year. | In the food group, the items‘ whose prices increased the most in March compared to last year were onions’ (257.6pc), tea (105.19pc), wheat (94pc), eggs (83.6pc), rice (82.4pc), wheat flour (70pc), gram whole (65pc), pulse moong (58.3pc), besan gram increase were textbooks mash (74pc), motor fuel (71.6pc), cooking stationery (67pc), gas fresh charges (62,8pc), motor fruits (51.3pc), dry fruits vehicles: (45.5pc), house- hold equipment’ (42pc), In the non-food cate- and others. items whose When compared to the” previous month, the price of cigarettes saw the high- est jump (70.34pc) in the food group, followed by tea (28.46pc), fresh fruits (20.04pc), tomatoes (13.17pe), sugar (12.49pc), beverages (11.76pc), pota- toes (11.26pc), wheat (8.29pc), wheat flour (7.84pc), cooking oil (7.04pc), fresh vegetables (6.22pc), beans (5.43pc), vegetable ghee (5.05pc), fresh milk (4.50pc), rice (3.30pe), ete. Inthe non-food category, the products and services whose prices rose the most were cotton cloth (13.3pc), household equipment (10. 56pc), motor vehicles (6.73- pc), electricity charges (6.21pc), marriage’ hall charges (5.53pc), statio- nery (5.37pc), construction wage rates (3.75pc), trans- port services (3.65pc), and motor vehicle accessories (3.28pe).Inflation, poor economic conditions Traders ‘announce nationwide’ rallies after Eid Py Muhammad Agia ISLAMABAD: The Markazi! Tanzeem Tajran Pakistan. on Saturday announced to launch a countrywide protest move across the country after Eidul Fitr against the unprec- edented inflation and dete- riorating national economic conditions. © Addressing a press conference here, Markazi Tanzeem Tajran President Muhammad Kashif Chaudhry said that traders all over Pakistan would organise conventions and demon- Strations if issues were not : resolved. He regretted that -Iine government did not pass on reduction in crude oil prices in the international mar- ket to the people while, on the, other hand, the government’ was not ready to bring down | itsnon-development expenses. ‘The traders leader said that problems could be addressed ‘the government was serious and sincere in doing so. “Nei- ther the politicians, ministers nor bureaucracy is ready for cut their expenses and are get- ting free fuel and other bene- | fits as usual,” he added. He said the government should immediately announce a reduction in non-develop- ment expenses by 50 percent. Kashif also asked the gov- ernment to stop the humili- ation of poor masses in the name of provision of free flour. “Poor women, elderly peo- ple and children are made to suffer and die while standing in queues for hours,” he said, adding that five people had lost their lives in attempts to get poor quality flour. 5 fo ; NEWS CLIPPINGS BY PSMA (Pz) He alleged that the mafias responsible for flour crisis were sitting in parliament. The traders leader also asked politicians to come out of tug of war and agree on a charter of democracy. He was of the view the traders community could also play a role to make the politicians sit across the table for talks. He said the government had cancelled wheat permits for flour mills, which resulted ina hike in the Drice of com- modity. ‘The traders leader asked the government to review its Ramazan package so that poor masses were not humiliated in the name of so-called relief and free flour. He also slammed the raids by FBR teams at points of sale, saying that the Board had not provided income tax forms to traders in Urdu language but was continuing to harass them.* TRIBUNE NEWS CLIPPINGS BY O2-- BO?" PSMA (PZ) Bahawalnagar crops | face destruction Heavy rains and stormy winds sound alarm bells for farmers @ OUR CORRESPONDENT BAHAWALNAGAR High quality of wheat has been sown ona million acres of land in Bahawalnagar district of South Punjab this year. The district. keeps its standard intact, and it is on top of the list of the dis- tricts which completed their purchasing targets and pro- viding wheat to the other districts. Crops like mustard, canola, corn and others are also being sent to national and international mar- kets, Rice and cotton from Bahawalnagar are.also being supplied to the biggest trade centres of Asia. The farmers are restless today and have appealed to the government to bail them out since they borrowed money from the landown- ers to buy fertilizers and also bought petrol on credit. Moreover, they also had to pay to the bank. The farmers said they were also facing shortage of | . canal water and were being ' fleeced by a mafia who, they alleged, was selling fake: chemicals for crops. 1 In current weather, con-' ditions, rains will be very damaging to the wheat crop. Heavy rains and stormy winds have sounded alarm. bells for the farmers. The time for harvesting. of crops has almost arrived, while the harvesting pro- cess has already started in the rain-fed Cholistan areas. The situation is very criti- cal due to climate change. According to the Department of Agriculture, 12% of the losses have been reported. According to the farmers, 25% of additional wheat crops have faced heavy losses, but more rains would prove to be a disaster for the wheat crop. Agricultural experts say that more rains would cause record losses to the farmers. The district has been hit bya thunderstorm since last night. There are apprehen- sions that 30% of the wheat crop would be destroyed due to rains, and further bad weather would prove to be fatal for the wheat crops.t - . |The Nation | || CLIPPINGS BY PSMA (PZ) L_O2-O4- 2022 | Pakistan can boost agricultural output with Chinese tech cooperation \ AGENCIES ISLAMABAD Collaboration between China and Pakistan, has the potential to bring about: significant improvements in Pakistan's agriculture sector, “China and Pakistan havealong-stand- ing friendship, and over the years, they have cooperated on various projects re- lated to agriculture. China has pledged to. provide technical and financial as sistance-to Pakistan to help it develop its. agriculture. sector,” said. Salahuddin’ Hanif, Secretary General Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Indus- try (PCJCCI), while talking to WealthPK. Agriculture contributes significantly to ‘the country’s economy. However, the sector faces sevéral ‘challenges, includ- ing'low productivity, outdated farming practices, lack of access to modern tech- nologies, and water scarcity. “Conversely, China has made remark- able progress in the field of agriculture through the-use. of advanced technol- ogy, which has resulted. in increased crop yields and: improved food secu rity,’ Hanif mentjoned:-"With China's experience and expertise, Pakistan can significantly improve -its agricultural productivity, which will-have a posi- tive impact on the country’s economy and_the livelihoods of its_peaple,” he said. The PCJCCI-secretary general said China can assist Pakistan in the use of modern, technologies to increase agri- cultural productivity. He said China has made significant investments in devel- oping. advanced technologies such as precision agriculture, which, uses data’ and analytics to optimise crop yields. “By adopting these technologies, Pak- istan can significantly improve its agri- cultural productivity and compete in the global-market,” he. emphasised. Hanif said China can also help Pakistan in de- veloping high-value crops that have a significant demand in the global market. He said China has expertise in produc- ing crops such as fruits, vegetables, and flowers. “By collaborating with China, Pakistan can identify crops that are suit- able for its climate and soil conditions and develop the necessary infrastruc- ture to produce these crops,” he said. Recently, the PCJCCI recommend- ed during a think tank session that a joint agriculture laboratory should be established to help improve the agri- culture sector by technology transfer to achieve increased cultivation and production. The idea was put forward by Moazzam Ghurki, president of the PCJCCI. He claimed that the project will benefit farmers by reducing the need to purchase insecticides and pes- ticides, cutting poverty in the country. “Given the country’s already high level of internet access, we should link Pak- istan’s entire agricultural chain with e-commerce from production to mar- keting,” he suggested. According to the PCJCCI chief, Pak China Agriculture Laboratory's main goal should be the digital transformation because it will lower agricultural production costs, improve efficiency, and open new job opportunities for local residents in Pakistan's rural areas.4 Oa Aursat § ey /cxppes (RELEASED BY | \ PSM (2) // ~s J se nbc inh oe Usivt ure thie Su243 wiz UI Pe eri STB 2 Eb oe oe Cw 2 WL, SPE IU Sele sod arya SIL INL AY En sabi OL Lu tdile eeu LS) SI, By, Vout cu Fidraseok C2 LO eu: WIL Sith wd abe S SSF REL ern je iL Gia cute ZL yk Sg PN Ufce be Sullag Sui VS AL te Ow € ow) Buti 8 SHUM RS ML ye buCLIPPINGS | RELEASED BY \ «PSMA (PZ) // Ung eur bbe be SHG ails sat LF ys Ba Atel shia wtih fet SMF STALE, (ee be mS E AS WL Patrb HEEL od Cie AS Sui HEL 6 Ste Bt | ona ue feBed bx G7 a We EF beter’ petlin WAL bec ukl Katty ete ee Be Ll torch b shined 401, A = ssi fiy2201. 7 LP IEF Grr SB ee SAAS Le HOR Lebel Fo ISINEWS CLIPPINGS BY PSMA (PZ) S127 SG Lords 2 CSB ee Set Pein S21 243.9 Sertuyh testo | ge, HppetnsitAhicy 44193 USA SSL UrPSe | We BL Jui we ef teste NIB | in A bonged Fer Fesai.6 Jey ut |e Ler i ex VEL Unigating UB éuti90.0 bey | war pe Stput1973 ut & 11.26 97 12.49 5713.17 Ag Krovurtdini£eyy S4070.34 wef 8:29 2 | 2 try A premtocA SOUL TEAC LAURE -Lot | BC peo Ie UE PuspintsAi7 04 STAI GOL Sly oi owe edi cl 4825.4 th Bobet Wael gf psu Bend VST Hl9.08 N24 Co Bui die UEP ytd teaWble? ig 6 tums tiated Fis 12.20 2 uAl30.58 Ga 6S 3is8827.26 Sept nS 2, 08 (ea Wsntatetiite* dab 77 1 7sh 6136.4 UA Sete webroot TOE Ser tens baile (0752 bi 3.72 tU72ENEWS CLIPPINGS BY PSMA (Pz) ae ee som Sane mem aad 2b SMS ILL Ue Sods Ld todpr roid, a Tobe fe eG LK Sein£ bg bude Luigi ARO ae: 2p i LS due ogi Eadie Pree Sue SF igs PEE WIL rend user earn it Point LS vay igre Sess Pacaene i GOLL eraryeore ued dhe dieu’ rn Ue Bt PU Ahk ust bug baee ELoiHW FesetrLus SL Luh hb ustu SE Unie pata CML IS si SLL go Seat ow ALLPP La gE ets uo PCL y arden tlle-L ueze Asipcsa STNG NAL bob bid ew dut teSIG AC tog pti Se LLG Std wet £y bsied Sent: b4130 Eel & to gh ti Bele bit R Sadi indi, Lich Es Pah ot 160308 L we Lz 3053236, y nd iio, Brine ' NEWS CLIPPINGS BY PSMA (Pz)“oy VIE fe £ ous d SeGh€ Ledge Jul went Rie He By fuw0£ £ SE shir eu, WEI Quix y WIS Eber Ses faz ¢ CAL ow. 8 BS OFF rte £ & Je KIS Yost PCL aT be SE NEWS CLIPPINGS BY PSMA (Pz) 2 ZIP (tad ase) fg Cedi A Zale b SP LFF er 5 TN CATENEWS \\ CLIPPINGS BY PSMA (PZ) S6L sgt BL tal Sth LretrPLe sith} SuitcGatl Lveves Lewis BERL AR cuidpived ure hae Steet) Ss fia wer ee SILL GEE L EG ele fe Lye duh EL ve - fe b & eK if 2 NB Cot ee 23, Tesi id 3 urd So sini Aut de Aid £202223 dine tif Jee. CLL: wy2763 Als bk dud be lurat- a, eat Sforitend 2 Fed ab ib 26,8 = 2022 Suz Bb Lt Lie UL. wth? 5.433 2023 But