No sugar shortage this year: Indian Sugar Mills Association

NEW DELHI: India’s sugar production is estimated to touch 24 million tonnes in the 2016-17 marketing year, beginning October 1, as per officials of Indian Sugar Mills Association ( ISMA) who felt that with carry over stock of 7.5 million tonnes, there was unlikely to be any shortage of sugar in the country. Retail sugar prices were expected to be at Rs 40-42 a kg and exmill prices at Rs 36 a kg.

India is the world’s biggest consumer of the sweetener with annual consumption touching 25 million tonne. Of this, 70-75% is consumed by institutions and companies.

“We have more than enough sugar in the country. Looking at the current planting we can say sugar production in 2016-17 will be 24 million tonnes. A better picture on numbers will come in July,” said Tarun Sawhney, president, ISMA. He said the season’s closing balance as on September 30 was likely to be 7.5 million tonnes, ensuring ample supplies for domestic consumers.

“In such a scenario we don’t expect any need for imports for the next 24 months,” said Sawhney. He added that they were anticipating good production in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu this year even as the industry felt that there will be less production in Maharashtra and northern Karnataka. The new crushing season begins on October 1 and continues through April 2017.