India’s sugar producers hope for freedom to sell at high prices

Karnataka, one of the largest sugarcane growing States, is likely to see a near 30% decline in sugarcane production this season due to deficit rains. Its neighbouring State Maharashtra may have a 10-20% drop in cane production, again because of erratic rains, according to sugarcane growers’ associations.

Karnataka, one of the largest sugarcane growing States, is likely to see a near 30% decline in sugarcane production this season due to deficit rains. Its neighbouring State Maharashtra may have a 10-20% drop in cane production, again because of erratic rains, according to sugarcane growers’ associations.

However, production in Uttar Pradesh is said to be on track in the current season (October 2023-September 2024).

Though it is too early to get a clear picture, sugar production estimates by multiple agencies indicate that there will be a drop.

The Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) said recently that, according to its preliminary estimates, area under sugarcane cultivation this year is 57 lakh hectares and total sugar production will be 33.7 million tonnes in the 2023-24 sugar season. “With India’s domestic consumption average of 278.5 lakh tonnes (27.8 million tonnes), the production estimates assure sufficient sugar for domestic consumption,” it said.

The production last season was 36.9 million tonnes and the current year opened with a 6.5 million stock. While production may drop 20% in Karnataka and Maharashtra, production will increase nearly 8% in Uttar Pradesh, it said.

Agrimandi.live Research House has projected a 9.4% drop in total sugar production and a 2.9% increase in sugar consumption in the current year compared with last sugar season.

The OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2023-2032, says that after touching a 16-month low in October 2022, “international sugar prices rebounded sharply later in the year and in early 2023, mainly reflecting prevailing overall tight global sugar supplies amid strong global import demand.” Sugar production is forecast to decline in India and in the European Union, due to lower sugar beet plantings and yields, it said.