Stable sugar supply till January; power, gas crisis hampering production: Tipu Munshi

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi on Thursday said the country has a sugar stock to meet the demand until January next year.

"But an acute power and gas crisis is hampering sugar production in the country," he said after a meeting of the task force on reviewing commodity prices and market conditions at the Secretariat in Dhaka on Thursday.

"The factories are only operating at 66% of their capacity. Truth be told, the people are suffering due to the Russia-Ukraine War. This is a global crisis.

"We might have to face a food crisis in the coming days," he added.

Supply of the essential commodity has to be made smooth and swift in order for the government fixed prices properly take effect, he added.

Tipu Munshi said there is a lot of unprocessed sugar kept in the country's warehouses.

"The stock can be processed and disbursed in the market when the gas shortage goes away."

Officials involved with the power and energy have assured that the supply crunch will soon end, said the minister, adding, "There is nothing to be worried about."