The decision regarding the increase in the sugar export quota will be taken by the government after assessing the domestic production in March, said Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra, reports PTI.
For the current 2022-23 marketing year, the food ministry has allowed the export of 60 lakh tonnes of sugar. During the preceding year, India exported a record 110 lakh tonnes of sugar.
“We will assess the sugar output in the country in March and depending on the final output, we will take a decision regarding increasing the sugar export quota,” said Chopra.
For the ongoing crushing season, we are expecting the sugar production would remain lower due to bad weather in the cane-producing states, he said.
According to Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) sugar output is likely to fall by 5% during the current marketing year to 340 lakh tonnes as there is an increase in the diversion of sugarcane juice to ethanol production. It is estimated that around 45 lakh tonnes of sugar would be diverted to ethanol production this season.
In 2021-22 sugar production was 358 lakh tonnes.
