LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Minister of Industrialisation, Business, Trade and Tourism, Dr. George Partridge, has urged Illovo Sugar Malawi to ensure that sugar is available to the public throughout the Christmas season and up to the next production cycle.

The Minister made these remarks during a high-level meeting this morning with Illovo Sugar Malawi’s management team and the Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC) at the Ministry headquarters in Lilongwe.

Dr. Partridge emphasized that Malawians expect to find sugar on the shelves as they prepare for Christmas.

He reassured Illovo Sugar management of his full support as the government works to resolve the ongoing supply issues.

In response, Illovo Sugar Malawi’s Managing Director, Ronald Ngwira, assured the Minister that the company has sufficient reserves to sustain the country through the lean period.

Ngwira explained that production is temporarily halted due to wet fields that make cane cutting impossible, but with over 70,000 metric tonnes in storage, he is confident that the stock will last until production resumes in April.

Malawi consumes around 15,000 metric tonnes of sugar per month, and Ngwira believes that the current reserve should be enough to meet the country’s needs if domestic demand remains stable.

However, Ngwira highlighted some challenges impacting sugar availability on the market, including hoarding and smuggling by certain traders.

In response, Minister Partridge assured the meeting that his Ministry would collaborate with relevant authorities such as the Ministry of Local Government, the Ministry of Homeland Security, and the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) to investigate and take action against those involved in these illegal activities.

This joint effort aims to ensure that the sugar supply remains stable and that any malpractices are addressed swiftly.

The Maravi Post