Government may take decision on sugar export quota next month

Sugar Export: Government to have a meeting next month to review sugar exports. In the meeting, there will be discussions on the final estimate of sugar export, Zee Business reported.

The government may allow export of 8-10 LMT (lakh metric tonnes) sugar. Additional sugar export is possible in two parts, sources told Zee Business.

According to ISMA, the premier body of the sugar industry, sugar production declined by 17 per cent to 61.39 lakh tonnes till December 15 in the current marketing year which started in October, due to decline in production in Maharashtra.

The production figures do not include the amount of sugar used to manufacture ethanol. According to ISMA, sugar production in the current marketing year 2024-25 (October-September) till December 15, 2024 reached 61.39 lakh tonnes, whereas it was 74.05 lakh tonnes in the same period last year.

In October, The government issued a stern warning to sugar mill companies authorities, including CEO, CMD, and MD regarding the integration of API for data sharing, emphasising that failure to meet the deadline will result in the suspension of sugar quotas.

Currently, only 60 sugar mills, including 11 groups, have successfully completed the API integration process.

Prior to that in August, the government proposed to increase ethanol prices for the season, while also pushing for diversification of feedstocks, as it aims to achieve the 20 per cent blending target by 2025-26.

The push for diversification comes as India seeks to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and promote sustainable energy alternatives.

Government policy currently encourages ethanol production from maize, and the Central Government is in the process of establishing a National Coordinating Agency (NAFED) to procure maize from farmers and supply it to sugar factories for ethanol production. This initiative will benefit our factory and others by ensuring a sufficient supply of maize for continuous, year-round operations.