MARD Confirms Enough Sugar for Domestic Market
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) said Vietnamese sugar refineries will produce around 1.3 million tons of sugar in the 2009-2010 crop, and with total imported volume of 64,000 tons, the country can ensure sufficient sugar.
The ministry said sugar price will also be kept stable.
But the MARD advised local refineries to star the crop sooner because 2008-2009’s sugar output is lower than plan.
It also asked the Vietnam Sugar and Sugarcane Association to work with the refineries to keep sugar price stable and prevent smuggled sugar.
Vo Thanh Dang, chairman of the association said it will firstly focus on balancing sugar supply and demand in 2009. Vietnam consumed nearly 1.1 million tons of sugar from Apr 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009, or 91,000 tons monthly on average.
Dang added that the country should consider importing more sugar in July when local refineries completed the 2008-2009 crop.
The association also asked local licensed companies to import 43,000 tons of sugar in line with WTO’s commitment, and the government to consider import tax as well as sugar traffic. (Vietnam & World Economy)
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