The industry is estimated to have a remaining stock of 54 lakh tonnes of sugar

05-Jun-2025 01:22 PM

New Delhi. Although domestic sugar production is expected to fall sharply by at least 55 lakh tonnes during the 2024–25 season compared to the 2023–24 season, the overall supply and availability situation appears to remain normal due to the large carryover stock, and prices have also remained relatively stable.

According to data released by the Indian Sugar Bio Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA), the industry had an outstanding stock of around 80 lakh tonnes of sugar at the beginning of the current marketing season on October 1, 2024. Domestic production during the season is expected to be around 264 lakh tonnes, bringing total sugar availability to 344 lakh tonnes.

Of this, approximately 280 lakh tonnes are projected to be consumed domestically, and around 10 lakh tonnes are expected to be exported. This adds up to a total usage of 290 lakh tonnes. Therefore, by the end of the current marketing season on September 30, 2025, the industry is likely to be left with a surplus stock of around 54 lakh tonnes of sugar. This stock is considered sufficient to meet the domestic demand for the first two-and-a-half months of the next marketing season (2025–26).

Special sugarcane crushing sessions are scheduled in southern Karnataka and Tamil Nadu during the July–September period, which are expected to yield an additional 3.50–4.00 lakh tonnes of sugar. This figure is also included in ISMA’s overall data. The total domestic consumption of sugar for the 2024–25 season is expected to decline to 280 lakh tonnes due to the implementation of the monthly free sale quota system announced by the Central Government.