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PNG faces sugar shortage
SUGAR, the sweet thing, is in very short
supply in parts of the country, and recipes may have to change until
normal supply of the sweetener is restored.
The unexpected shortage of sugar in East New Britain province and
other areas is causing a major concern for local consumers.
Nearly all major shopping and retail outlets in Kokopo and Rabaul
selling sugar have literally run out of stock.
This is also having a great effect on small trade store outlets in the
rural areas.
Sugar has not been sold in Buka town for a month now, but where it is
available in parts of Bougainville, it is selling for twice the price,
with retailers cashing in on the low supply.
Acting chief executive officer of Ramu Sugar Limited David Alderdice
confirmed that the shortage of sugar supply started after the completion
of the last harvest last Sept 23.
Since then, the supply of locally produced Ramu sugar has been at its
lowest.
Mr Alderdice said that because of the unexpected shortfall in local
supply, Ramu Sugar Limited had started importing sugar from Thailand.
He said that three containers loaded with sugar from Thailand were now
on their way.
Transport problems were also causing shortages in some areas.
Mr Alderdice said that Consort Express Line had three of their ships
grounded for administrative reasons, which had impacted the normal
distribution of sugar.
He also said that Ramu Sugar was expected to conduct its next harvest in
April, which should bring back normal supply to consumers nationwide.
The unloading of a
container of sugar at one of the major supermarkets in Kokopo saw people
rushing in to buy sugar in bulk.
Even owners of trade stores in rural areas went to retail shops to buy
sugar in bulk in case it runs out again.
In East Sepik, a ship loaded with bales of sugar arrived in the nick of
time yesterday to supply the sugar-starved people in the province,
Garamut operations officer Min Gurumg said yesterday.
The ship just arrived from Madang with bales of Ramu sugar.
“There was a shortage of sugar in the province for about a week now and
the ship load is a relief to us.”
A town resident revealed that shops throughout the province had been out
of stock since last week.
 
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