The Zambia National Farmers Union ( ZNFU) voiced here Saturday its deep concern over what it called as illegal imports of sugar into the country.

ZNFU president Guy Robinson said that the imported sugar is purported to be for industrial use and ends up on the domestic market contrary to the laws of Zambia which requires such kind of sugar to be fortified with Vitamin A.

He said ZNFU believes that more than 500 tons of illegal imported sugar has been released on the market.

He said 18 trucks recently entered the country carrying the illegal sugar.

Zambia produces 270,000 tons of sugar against a national consumption requirement of 130,000 tons both for domestic and industrial use.

The surplus 140,000 tons of industrial sugar is sold to the international market.

Robinson said ZNFU will not allow the sugar cane farmers to be driven out of business by the illegal importers of sugar.

The illegal sugar currently on the market is creating unfair competition with the local sugar on the market, he said.

Robinson urged the government and other relevant authorities to conduct a full inspection on how the import permits were issued.

Source: Xinhua