Excessive availability of sugar this year is unlikely to deter Indian exporters to intensify supplies to global markets and increase realisation this year. Reeling under severe financial stress, Indian sugar companies are looking for opportunities for higher realisation from overseas markets with permission from the local government.
A report released by the Rabobank forecast the global sugar production to outpace demand for the second consecutive year by six to eight million tonnes (mt) for 2012-13. Another report by Barclays Bank also estimates global markets to remain in surplus to the tune of 5.4 mt, despite lower production in Brazil.
Barclays estimates global 2011-12 sugar production will grow 4.2 per cent year-on-year, due to higher-than-expected output in Europe, as well as in key producing countries, like Australia, India and Thailand, as favourable weather and prices have led farmers to boost plantings and help offset the decline in Brazil. The global sugar output in 2011-12 is projected at a record 173 mt.
“This will surely restrict India’s opportunity to access global markets at high prices. But, much would depend on sugar output and quantum of direct conversion of ethanol from cane,” said a senior official from a leading producing company.
Brazil’s sugarcane production is expected to rise to 520 mt in 2012-13. The country, crushed around 492 mt in 2011-12. Barclays forecast Brazilian sugar production to reach only 35.8 mt in 2011-12, a decline of 5.8 per cent y-o-y.
“About a month ago, sugar price in the global markets surpassed $700 a tonne, which plunged to $650 a tonne now. The current prevailing price in the Indian market still offers attractive opportunity for supply to overseas market,” the official said.
Presently, the price of sugar remains fairly well supported, largely owing to perceived shortage of export availability against the import demand. The total global cane production is estimated at 522 mt. According to India’s sugar companies, output is expected to be more than 26 mt and consumption 22 mt.
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The government of India had allowed one mt of exports under open general licence so far. Speculation is rife the government will allow another one mt of exports in the review meeting scheduled next week.
An increase in India’s exportable surplus and strong production prospects in key Northern Hemisphere producers will limit the upside on prices. The important questions for the sugar market in 2012 will be whether cane output in Brazil recovers after a production setback, when and how much Brazilian cane will be converted into ethanol instead of sugar, and the outlook for Indian sugar exports.
On the back of higher production in major sugar growing countries, global prices are likely to remain under pressure during 2012-13. On the Inter-Continental Exchange (ICE), sugar for March delivery traded at 23.94 cents on February 3. While, on India’s National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX), sugar for February delivery traded at Rs 2,914 on February 6.
On the National Multi Commodity Exchange, sugar for March traded down 0.345 during the last week from Rs 2,891 a quintal to Rs 2,881 a quintal. Sugar for March delivery in ICE rose 0.16 cents to 24.86 cents per lb on February 21. On the NCDEX, the commodity traded at Rs 2,869 a quintal.
According to Barclays, a key influence of the market outlook in 2012 will be the manner in which the price of ethanol will influence the decision of Brazilian mills to allocate cane to produce sugar or ethanol. The end of US government subsidies and trade barriers to Brazilian ethanol bodes well for Brazilian ethanol producers in the long term and could prompt renewed investment. But exports are unlikely to increase in the near term due to Brazil struggling to meet its domestic demand.