ISMA urges government to allow sugar exports based on data

06-Aug-2024 05:39 PM

New Delhi. The apex industry body - Indian Sugar and Bio Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) has urged the government to lift the ban on sugar exports, citing adequate availability of sugar for domestic consumption for food purposes and ethanol production.

ISMA had estimated the total sugar production in the 2024-25 marketing season (October-September) to be 331.10 lakh tonnes with a marginal decline of 2 per cent as compared to the 2023-24 season,

while it had expressed the possibility of 90.50 lakh tonnes of sugar being present at the time of the start of the new marketing season on October 1, 2024. On this basis,

ISMA has expressed hope that the total availability of sugar in the next marketing season will reach 423.50 lakh tonnes.

According to the organization, there will be domestic consumption of 290 lakh tonnes of sugar in the marketing season of 2024-25, due to which the industry will have a surplus stock of 133.50 lakh tonnes of sugar on 30 September 2025.

Out of this, after keeping a reserve stock of 60 lakh tonnes, the remaining sugar can be allowed to be exported. This can give millers an opportunity to reduce stock and increase income.

The Director General of ISMA says that there is a lot of rain in the country during the current monsoon season, due to which sugar production will increase inside the country in the marketing season of 2025-26 and then sufficient stock of sugar can be used in ethanol production as well.

Sugar can also be exported in that season while easily meeting domestic demand and consumption. If the government immediately allows the export of 20 lakh tonnes of sugar, then the industry will get help in reducing the cost of storage and maintenance and the burden of interest.

In the current season of 2023-24, the government has not yet given permission to the industry to export sugar.