India Set to Record Highest Sugar Export in 10 Years

Data released by ISMA reveals that despite the Covid-19 pandemic, India is all set to report the highest sugar exports in the last 10 years. Till the end of June, the country has seen exports of 49 lakh tonnes (lt) of sugar with countries like Iran, Indonesia and Malaysia emerging as the most popular markets for the Indian sweetener.

Avinash Verma, director general of Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA), told The Indian Express that another 4-5 lt sugar was likely to be shipped out in the next few months. “The total export before the start of the next sugar season will be anything between 53-54 lakh tonnes as against the target of 60 lakh tonnes,” he said, adding that export figure falling short of the target was mostly because of the reluctance of some mills. Around 125 mills have not exported their allocated quota while some mills saw their quota being re-allocated.

Despite falling short of its target, the country will be recording the highest export in the decade this season. In 2018-19, 38 lt of sugar was exported out of the country. This year, Indian sugar has been in good demand from Iran, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. The 2019-20 sugar season had started with mills reporting huge unsold inventory, mainly due to back-to-back bumper crop in Maharashtra.

Data released by ISMA reveals that despite the Covid-19 pandemic, India is all set to report the highest sugar exports in the last 10 years. Till the end of June, the country has seen exports of 49 lakh tonnes (lt) of sugar with countries like Iran, Indonesia and Malaysia emerging as the most popular markets for the Indian sweetener.

Avinash Verma, director general of Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA), told The Indian Express that another 4-5 lt sugar was likely to be shipped out in the next few months. “The total export before the start of the next sugar season will be anything between 53-54 lakh tonnes as against the target of 60 lakh tonnes,” he said, adding that export figure falling short of the target was mostly because of the reluctance of some mills. Around 125 mills have not exported their allocated quota while some mills saw their quota being re-allocated.

Despite falling short of its target, the country will be recording the highest export in the decade this season. In 2018-19, 38 lt of sugar was exported out of the country. This year, Indian sugar has been in good demand from Iran, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. The 2019-20 sugar season had started with mills reporting huge unsold inventory, mainly due to back-to-back bumper crop in Maharashtra.