Indian Sugar Industry

Sugar production to hit by weather, export prospects dwindle: Isma

The production could fall to around 27 million metric tons from the last year's 32 million tons and below annual consumption of more than 29 million tons, said India head of a global trade house

Govt urges sugar industry to diversify into ethanol-diesel, green hydrogen

Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday called upon the sugar industry to explore multiple avenues for diversification, including ethanol-diesel blending and green hydrogen production. Addressing the annual general meeting of the Indian Sugar and Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) virtually, the minister emphasised the need for setting up ethanol and CNG pumps, including through private sector participation. There is a huge potential for flex engines, ethanol-based engines, and bioCNG as alternatives to fossil fuels. Five automakers including Tatas, Suzuki, and Toyota are set to launch flex engine fuel cars in the market, he said and urged the tractor makers to start manufacturing tractors on alternative fuels. The minister suggested examining possibilities of exporting ethanol to neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka to expand market opportunities. Bio-bitumen production using lignin and biomass sources, along with gr

Mills may export up to 2 mn tonnes of sugar this season: Isma chief

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration extended the ban on sugar exports for the second straight season, as India, also the world's biggest consumer of the sweetener

Sugar output falls 17% to 6.13 MT due to late start of production: Isma

Sugar production declined 17 per cent to 61.39 lakh tonnes till December 15 of the current marketing year that started in October, mainly due to fall in output in Maharashtra, according to industry body ISMA. The production data excludes the diversion of sugar towards ethanol. Sugar production till December 15, 2024, in the current 2024-25 marketing year (October-September) reached 61.39 lakh tonnes as against 74.05 lakh tonnes in the corresponding period of the preceding year, Indian Sugar and Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) said in a statement. Notably, this year sugar factories in Karnataka started late by around 7-12 days while in another major state Maharashtra, mills started late by 1520 days, as compared to last year. As per the data, sugar production in Uttar Pradesh increased to 23.04 lakh tonnes from 22.11 lakh tonnes. In Maharashtra, the output declined 16.78 lakh tonnes from 24.45 lakh tonnes. Karnataka saw a decline in sugar production to 13.85 lakh tonne

NFCSF seeks govt intervention to protect sugar industry from 'collapse'

The National Federation of Co-operative Sugar Factories (NFCSF) on Friday warned of an impending crisis in the sugar sector and urged the government to take immediate steps to prevent its collapse. In a letter addressed to the Union Food Secretary, the federation has highlighted the sector's severe financial stress due to mounting sugar stocks and escalating production costs. According to NFCSF, opening stocks for the 2024-25 season (October-September) stand at 80 lakh tonnes, with projected production of 325 lakh tonnes, excluding ethanol diversion. With domestic consumption estimated at 290 lakh tonnes, around 115 lakh tonnes of sugar will remain in godowns of 535 factories nationwide. The federation pointed out that while the government has increased the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) by 8 per cent to Rs 3,400 per tonne for 2024-25, the industry's Minimum Selling Price (MSP) has remained stagnant at Rs 31 per kg since 2018-19, despite production costs rising to Rs 41.66 per ..

Dwarikesh Sugar, Shree Renuka: Why sugar stocks are buzzing in trade today

Key players in the sector, including Shree Renuka Sugars, Dhampur Sugars, and Balrampur Chini Mills, were among the top gainers.

Microplastics in all Indian salt, sugar brands: How much are you consuming?

A test carried out on 10 types of salt and five types of sugar, purchased from online and local markets in India, showed the presence of microplastics in all samples

Govt likely to decide on increasing sugar MSP in coming days: Food secy

The government is likely to take a decision on increasing the minimum selling price (MSP) of sugar within the next few days, Union Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra said on Saturday. Speaking on the sidelines of a conference organised by All India Sugar Trade Association (AISTA), Chopra said, "We are discussing the MSP (proposal). In the coming days, we will hopefully take a call." MSP of sugar has remained unchanged at Rs 31 per kg since 2019, despite annual hikes in the fair and remunerative price (FRP) paid to sugarcane farmers. Industry bodies, including National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories (NFCSF), have urged the government to raise the MSP to at least Rs 42 per kg to help mills sustain operations amid rising production costs. Chopra noted that sugar production for the 2024-25 season (October-September) looks promising, with the area sown to sugarcane increasing to 58 lakh hectare so far from 57 lakh hectare during the same period last year. For the 2023-24 season,

Sugar stocks zoom up to 14% after official says govt considering price hike

According to reports, a senior Government official stated that the revision is likely to apply to the next sugar season and not the ongoing one

Global agricultural trade focuses on India policies post new govt formation

Prices of some farm commodities have softened from their peaks, with state agencies also cracking down on hoarding and selling some grains from state reserves

EID Parry India Q4 results: Consolidated net proft at Rs 294.30 crore

E.I.D. Parry India Ltd has reported a consolidated profit after tax for the January-March 2024 quarter at Rs 294.30 crore, the company said. The city-based sugar manufacturer had registered a consolidated PAT at Rs 286.90 crore during the corresponding quarter of last year. Commenting on the financial performance, Managing Director S Suresh said, "the operating performance of the standalone sugar division was lower during the year as compared to the previous year on account of nil exports, higher cane cost, lower recovery from cane and change in product mix in distellery on account of change in Government policy." The overall cane crush marginally reduced during the year from 51.81 LMT metric tonne to 50.09 LMT and sugar sales reduced from 5.20 LMT (lakh metric tonne) to 4.64 LMT, he said. For the financial year ending March 31, 2024 the consolidated profit after tax fell to Rs 1,617.57 crore, from Rs 1,827.74 crore registered a year ago. The consolidated total income during the .

India sugar demand surges amid heat wave, elections; set to hit record high

But this year demand is above average as heat waves and election rallies boost consumption of ice-cream and soft drinks, said Avantika Saraogi, executive director at Balrampur Chini Mills

Govt rules out possibility of permitting sugar exports in 2023-24 season

The government on Monday ruled out possibility of allowing sugar exports in the current 2023-24 season ending October, the industry's persistent demand notwithstanding. Currently, there are curbs on export of sugar for an indefinite period. However, Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) has requested the government to allow export of 10 lakh tonne of sugar in the 2023-24 season, anticipating healthy closing stock by the season-end. "As of now, the government is not considering sugar exports although the industry has demanded," a senior food ministry official told PTI. The country's sugar production crossed 30 million tonne till March of the ongoing 2023-24 season. ISMA has revised net sugar production estimate for 2023-24 season to 32 million tonne. The government has estimated sugar output at 31.5-32 million tonne. Meanwhile, the government is considering allowing sugar mills to use excess stock of B-heavy molasses for ethanol production this year.

ISMA revises upwards estimates of gross sugar output to 34 mn tonnes

Sugar industry body ISMA on Wednesday revised its estimates for gross production of the sweetener by 9.5 lakh tonnes to 340 lakh tonnes in the marketing year ending September. In January, Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) had projected the gross sugar production, without any diversion for ethanol, at 330.5 lakh tonnes in 2023-24 marketing year (October-September). In a statement, ISMA said the gross sugar production is now estimated at 340 lakh tonnes in 2023-24, as against the gross output of 366.2 lakh tonnes in the previous year. The executive Committee of ISMA in its meeting held on March 12, noted the sugar recovery, cane yield, remaining harvestable area / sugarcane and expected dates of closure of factories in different States. The panel agreed that sugarcane availability in Maharashtra and Karnataka is higher than expected. However, cane availability in another major state, Uttar Pradesh, is predicted to be lower than earlier estimates. "Accordingly, ISMA has revised

India's perpetual sugar glut needs ethanol and export support

Households have reduced spending on the food item for two decades now, but its production keeps increasing

Productivity of sugar mills increased, over 99% cane dues cleared: Goyal

Over 99 per cent sugar cane dues to farmers in the country have been cleared by mills which amounts to over Rs 1.14 lakh crore out of the Rs 1.15 lakh crore outstanding, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. He also said that now only Rs 516 crore outstanding is due with regards to three sugar mills in Uttar Pradesh against whom action is being taken. Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce, Industry, Consumer Affairs and food, said in 2013-14, Rs 57,000 crore had been given to farmers as sugar cane price. Cane price dues used to be given to farmers after two-three years. However, in 2022-23, cane production increased by one-and-a-half times and cane dues stood at Rs 1,15,000 crore. "Of this, Rs 1,14,000 crore has been paid to farmers on time which is more than 99 per cent," he said, inviting a sharp response from some opposition members who claimed the figures were not correct. The minister said productivity of the mills has increased, cooperative mills have .

India to invest $67 bn in 5-6 years for developing gas sector: PM Modi

Ethanol policy has helped in reducing carbon emissions and fuel import bill, he says

Oil marketing companies float a second tender for ethanol supply

But, no mention of ethanol from cane juice and b-heavy molasses

ISMA demands diversion of additional 1-1.2 mn tonnes sugar to make ethanol

Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) on Tuesday said it has requested the government to permit diversion of additional 10-12 lakh tonnes of sugar for ethanol production in the current season, amid reports of higher output. The government has capped sugar diversion for ethanol making at 17 lakh tonnes for the current 2023-24 season (October-September) in view of likely fall in sugar production due to drought in parts of Maharashtra and Karnataka. Till January 15 of the ongoing season, ISMA said mills have manufactured 149.52 lakh tonnes of the sweetener, down by 5.28 per cent from 157.87 lakh tonnes in the year-ago period. However, as per reports, recent weather has been favourable for the standing cane crop and cane commissioners of major states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka have done upward revision in their sugar production estimates for 2023-24 SS to the tune of 5-10 per cent each," ISMA said in a statement. "We also believe that sugar production in the current

UP raises state price for sugarcane by Rs 20 per quintal for 2023-24 season

4.5 mn farmers in the state are directly dependent on the crop; price raised ahead of national elections