Sugar production is expected to be 13 per cent higher in the new season

Mumbai, Ta. 20 October 2020, Tuesday

In the current sugar season, which started in October, the country's sugar production is estimated to increase by 12 per cent to 21 million tonnes. Sugar production is on the rise due to high availability of sugarcane, said sources in the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA).

This estimate has been made keeping in view the possible diversion of B molasses and 2 million tonnes of sugarcane juice for ethanol production. In the 2013-2014 sugar season, which ended in September, sugar production was 35 million tonnes and diversion for ethanol was 4 lakh tonnes.

With high production expected for the current season, India will have to continue exporting 4 million tonnes of sugar this year. Sugarcane juice and B-molasses are expected to be converted to ethanol, which is estimated to produce 21 million tonnes of sugar.

Ethanol production is also on the rise this year in view of the abundant production of sugarcane. However, the real picture will become clear only after tenders and bids for the supply of ethanol are provided by the mills, the sources said.

According to preliminary estimates, sugarcane production in the country will be moderately low in the current year, while it is expected to be higher in Maharashtra and Karnataka.

The opening stock of sugar in the country on October 1 is estimated at 10.05 million tonnes, which is lower than October 1 last year but higher than the domestic requirement at the beginning of the new season, Ismano's sources said.