According to industry body ISMA, India’s sugar production is estimated to increase by 13 per cent to 31 million tonnes in the 2020-21 marketing season starting this month, on likely higher availability of sugarcane.
India exported a record 5.65 million tons in 2019-20, with the help of these subsidies, which are opposed by Australia, Brazil and Guatemala. Despite the fact that obesity is on the rise during the Covid-19 pandemic and consumption of sugar may trigger the insulin levels of diabetic patients anyway, India continues to persuade its citizens to consume more sugar.
In the 2019-20 season (October-September), sugar production remained lower at 27.42 million tonnes and diversion to ethanol was about 0.8 million tonnes. Since higher production is pegged for the 2020-21 season, ISMA said that India will need to continue to export about 6 million tonne of surplus sugar this season.
Releasing initial estimates, Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) said: “After accounting for the reduction in sugar production due to diversion of cane juice and B-molasses to ethanol, ISMA estimates sugar production in 2020-21 at around 31 million tonnes of sugar.”
"Sugar is the most preferred source of the body's fuel for brain power, muscle energy and every natural process that goes into proper functioning of our body cells," the Indian Sugar Mills Association said, adding that the calories in sugar are the same as calories from any other food, and it's only when calories are not burnt adequately or too many are consumed, that body weight increases.
Consumption in India has stagnated at 19 kilograms per capita per year compared with a global average of 23 kilograms as social media campaigns saying the cane-based sweetener is unhealthy discourage people from eating it, according to the association. Per capita consumption growth between 2000 and 2016 was among the lowest in the world, it said.
India, also the world's second-biggest producer, exported a record 5.65 million tons in 2019-20, with the help of these subsidies, which are opposed by Australia, Brazil and Guatemala. Mills are aiming to ship 6 million tons in 2020-21 with production expected to rise 13% after good rains boosted planting.
