Sugar consumption in the country has picked up, especially in the years succeeding Covid-19 epidemic. The Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) recently said that India’s yearly sugar consumption has surged to approximately 290 lakh tonnes (LMT). This is a significant development for the country’s sugar industry, especially when compared to the range of 250 to 270 lakh tons observed just a few years ago.
Commenting on the domestic sugar consumption hike, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Triveni Engineering & Industries Ltd., Tarun Sawhney opines that the significant surge in sugar consumption in India, rising from last year’s 278.5 lakh tonnes to approximately 290 lakh tonnes annually, signals a positive trajectory for the sugar industry. “Economic advancements, illustrated by approximately 24.82 crore individuals transcending multidimensional poverty by 2022-23, have spurred higher disposable incomes, fueling a heightened affinity for sweets and confectionery,” he said.
The sugar industry has undertaken several campaigns to bust the manufactured myths about the adverse impact of sugar on health. Sawhney feels that the efforts to dispel myths by industry stakeholders have notably influenced this trend, particularly evident in rural areas where both direct sugar consumption and its integration into consumable products have witnessed substantial growth.
He further adds that, “There is growth potential in rural India considering malnutrition remains a persistent challenge, particularly among children and marginalised communities. Sugar, often overlooked as a potential contributor, can play a crucial role in addressing this issue by providing essential carbohydrates”.
Sawhney is optimistic about the company’s prospects in the light of consumption increase. “Triveni Engineering & Industries Ltd. being one of the country’s largest sugar manufacturers with 7 state-of-the-art FSSC 22000 certified sugar factories stands to benefit from the overall uptick in the sugar consumption,” he concludes.
