India is world's biggest producer and consumer of sugar now

Amid ethanol blending push by the government, the country has emerged as the world's biggest producer and consumer of sugar, said a statement from Food Ministry. It is also the world's second largest exporter of sugar in 2021-22.  

India saw a record over 5000 lakh metric tonne (LMT) sugarcane production in 2021-22. As much as 35 LMT sugar had been diverted towards ethanol production.  

TRENDING NOW

Infinix Smart 8HD smartphone launched at just Rs 5,669 - Check features and specs

India Shelter Finance IPO to hit D-Street soon; check out price band, other details

Aprilia RS457: Aprilia's first made-in-India motorcycle to launch today - Check price, specifications

Orchid Pharma shares hit 20% upper circuit as Investec initiates 'Buy' citing strong growth

Tata plans to build new iPhone factory in Tamil Nadu, hire 50K workers: Report

RBI keeps repo rate steady for the 5th time: Here is what market experts, analysts and industry leaders say

D-Street Newsmakers: IREDA, RITES and rate-sensitive stocks among 10 stocks that were in spotlight today

RBI monetary policy | MPC keeps repo rate unchanged at 6.5% for fifth consecutive time; top highlights

Lok Sabha expels Mahua for 'unethical conduct' in cash for Parliament query charge

IBA inks agreement with unions; bank staff pay to increase by 17%

Sebi considering to create new asset class

Anil Singhvi strategy December 8: Important levels to track in Nifty50, Nifty Bank today

PM Modi throws open Uttarakhand Global Investors Summit

WhatsApp 'View Once' feature now available for voice notes - Here's how it works

RBI to set up cloud facility for financial sector and fintech repository; here is what you need to know

Source: PIB

With a view to address the problem of surplus sugar in the country, the Central Government has been encouraging sugar mills during the last few sugar seasons to divert surplus sugar to ethanol and is also facilitating mills to export surplus sugar thereby improving liquidity of sugar mills enabling them to clear cane price dues of farmers. 

This season, sugar has also seen the highest sugar exports of 109.8 LMT.  

Export of sugar and diversion of sugar to ethanol during the recent times had also helped in maintaining demand-supply balance and stabilizing domestic sugar prices. Details of sugar export and diversion of sugar to ethanol since sugar season 2018-19 (October-September) are as under: 

Currently, sugar mills/distilleries generate around ₹ 18,000 crore from sale of ethanol and 95% of all cane dues have been cleared by the millers by the end of the season. For Sugar Season 2020-21, more than 99.9% cane dues have been cleared.  

Source: PIB

"Export of sugar of 100 LMT till 1.08.2022 in the current sugar season has helped in improving liquidity of sugar mills by Rs. 33,000 Crore enabling them to clear cane price dues of farmers," the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution had earlier said.