Page 3 - Sugar

India considers curbing ethanol production to tackle sugar shortages

Authorities are studying a proposal to restrict the use of sugar-cane juice to produce biofuel for the current season, according to people familiar with the matter

India plans to discourage ethanol production to prioritise sugar: Report

India's fuel retailers buy ethanol from sugar mills to blend with gasoline and they were paying higher price for ethanol produced from juice and B-heavy molasses

'Sugar output may remain subdued, mills prefer sugar over ethanol'

Due to below-average rainfall in the sugarcane-growing areas this year, the sugar output is likely to remain subdued, but the mills in Maharashtra are keen on using the crop to produce the sweetener more than diverting it to manufacture ethanol, a top official said on Wednesday. Maharashtra produced a good amount of sugar in the past two years. But there was below-normal rainfall this year in sugar-producing areas, the official of Sugar Commissionerate told PTI. "The rainfall this time was less, hence the sugarcane production in the state will also remain low...During a meeting held with the stakeholders of sugar mills, they made this year's trend clear. As sugar is fetching good rates this year, the mills are keen on producing sugar. Hence, molasses diverted to make ethanol could be used to produce sugar this year," the official said. The sugar commissionerate had earlier predicted that in the 2023-24 sugar manufacturing season, 1,022 lakh metric tonnes of sugarcane will be ...

Sugar to remain mainstay of business amid ethanol expansion: BCML

Sugar major Balrampur Chinni Mills Ltd (BCML) said that sugar will continue to be the primary focus despite expanding its ethanol production by 50 per cent to approximately 33 crore litres this season between November and April. A top company official revealed that the company has no immediate plans to venture into sugar retail. "Our goal is to strike a balance between sugar and ethanol production to maximize profitability and ensure sustainable growth, based on market conditions," BCML Promoter and Business Lead Avantika Saraogi told PTI. She is the daughter of BCML Chairman and Managing Director Vivek Saraogi. "The company foresees a 33:66 ratio between ethanol/alcohol and sugar for the year. Last year, the share of ethanol revenue was about 28 per cent," she said. BCML's decision to optimize its product mix is driven by a combination of factors, including fluctuating sugar prices and the government's ethanol blending policy. Saraogi pointed out that the country's sugar consump

India to assume chairmanship of global sugar industry body ISO for 2024

India will assume the chairmanship of the International Sugar Organisation (ISO), an apex body for sugar and related products, for 2024, the government said on Friday. India is the largest consumer and second largest producer of sugar in the world. "In its 63rd council meeting, ISO, headquartered in London, has announced India to be the chair of the organisation for 2024. This is a huge achievement for the country to lead the global sugar sector and is a reflection of growing stature of the country in this domain," the food ministry said in a statement. While attending the ISO Council Meeting, Union Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra sought support and cooperation from all member countries during its period of chairmanship of ISO in 2024. The focus would be on bringing together all member countries to adopt more sustainable practices in sugarcane cultivation, sugar and ethanol production and better utilisation of by-products, he said. "With about 15 per cent share in global sugar ...

50% surge in diabetes in individuals under 40 yrs of age, say experts

India is often dubbed as the diabetic capital of the world where nearly 11 per cent of the population is grappling with the disease

Isma projects 9% fall in sugar output, says sufficient to meet local demand

Industry body ISMA on Tuesday projected a 9 per cent fall in gross sugar production at 337 lakh tonnes for the current marketing year starting this month but asserted the output will be enough to meet domestic demand. It has not estimated the diversion of sugar for ethanol production. "Gross sugar production for the 2023-24 sugar season has been estimated at around 337 lakh tonnes," Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) said in a statement. The sugar marketing year runs from October to September. In August, ISMA had estimated gross sugar production at 369 lakh tonnes, while the net sugar output was projected at 328 lakh tonnes after a diversion of 41 lakh tonnes for ethanol. "With India's domestic consumption average of 278.5 lac tons, the production estimates assure sufficient sugar for domestic consumption," ISMA said. ISMA said that the diversion of sugar towards ethanol would be estimated only after the declaration of feed stock-wise ethanol procurement price for the 2023-24

India, Brazil begin talks to resolve sugar related trade dispute at WTO

India and Brazil have started talks to mutually resolve a sugar related trade dispute at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and as part of the solution the South American nation may share ethanol production technology with New Delhi, an official said. Brazil is the largest producer of sugarcane and ethanol in the world. It is also a leader in the technology used for ethanol production. "Few rounds of talks have been held as part of our efforts to resolve the dispute. We have also held inter-ministerial meetings here. Brazil is saying that they will share with us technology for ethanol (production). It is a positive thing," the official said. Ethanol is used to blend with oil to power vehicles. Use of ethanol, extracted from sugarcane as well as broken rice and other agri produce, will help the world's third largest oil consumer and importing country cut its reliance on overseas shipments. India currently is 85 per cent dependent on imports for meeting its oil needs. Also, it cuts ..

Supply of wheat, rice, sugar & edible oils adequate, says Food Secy

Retail prices of key essential food items, especially wheat, rice, sugar, and edible oil prices, are unlikely to see any sharp upswing in the upcoming festival season as the country has adequate supply and the government is keeping a close vigil on hoarders, Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra said on Thursday. "So my analysis is that in the next upcoming festive season, I do not see any kind of a sharp upswing in prices of the commodities that we deal with whether it is wheat or rice or sugar or edible oils," Chopra told reporters. The government is taking "corrective action" whenever it's required. For instance, the stock limit was further reduced to 2,000 tonnes for traders, wholesalers, and big chain retailers with immediate effect amid an uptick in prices, he said. He also said there is an adequate supply of wheat, rice, sugar, and edible oils in the country. On sugar, the secretary said although sugar prices are holding stable, due to some rumours of likely shortage due to lower ..

Ahead of festive season, Nepal to import 20,000 MT of sugar from India

Nepal government is set to import 20,000 metric tonnes (MT) of sugar from India ahead of the upcoming festivals, including Vijaya Dashami and Deepawali to meet the domestic demand. Although Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies has asked the Finance Ministry to give customs waiver for importing 60,000 MT of sugar to meet the local demand, the Finance Ministry has given permission to import only 20,000 MT for the time being. According to Finance Ministry spokesperson, Dhaniram Sharma, the Ministry has given 50 per cent discount on customs duty, which means 15 per cent less from the earlier imposed 30 per cent customs duty. Two companies, Salt Trading Corporation (STC) and Food Management and Trading Company, both would import 10,000 MT sugar each for the upcoming festival season, according to Sharma. However, divisional manager of STC Brajesh Jha said that it had asked the government permission to import 50,000 MT of sugar. According to Jha, Nepal's domestic demand for sugar .

El Nino unlikely to cause sugar shortage in India in 2023-24: NFCSF

Sugar cooperative NFCSF on Thursday junked rumours of likely sugar shortage in the country due to El Nino, saying domestic availability of the sweetener is not expected to be "adverse" in the 2023-24 season. Sugar season runs from October to September. The crushing operation of 2023-24 is yet to begin. The National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Ltd (NFCSF) in a statement said El Nino - which refers to warming of ocean surface - has impacted the drying flurry of monsoon in some parts of Maharashtra. "However, all other cane growing states i.e. Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar, Uttarakhand, have received above normal rains which has definitely helped the growth stage of standing cane to gain weight and sucrose content," NFCSF Managing Director Prakash Naiknavare said. He also observed that there is a "widespread rumour" in some sections about possible severe shortage of sugar during 2023-24 season. "The factual situati

Sugar outlook turn sweeter on prospects of higher prices due to less rain

Sugar is the most highly controlled commodity in the Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) basket

Pakistan stares at another crisis as sugar prices rise to Rs 185 per kg

The rising wholesale rates have been providing an opportunity for various online mart and retail shop operators to make a windfall on the already piled-up stocks

Sugar body ISMA seeks 5% GST on flex-fuel vehicles in line with EVs

Sugar industry body ISMA on Monday sought GST rate of 5 per cent for vehicles using flex fuels, same as that on electric vehicles, in order to accelerate adoption of blending of ethanol with petrol as fuel for automobiles. Flex fuel vehicles (FFVs) use a mix of petrol and ethanol at various degrees. India has achieved E10 (10 per cent ethanol in petrol) and is targeting E20 by 2025. In a statement, Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) said that presently, FFVs are levied with a GST rate of 28 per cent while the GST is 5 per cent on electric vehicles (EVs). This move will directly contribute to reducing India's fuel bill while simultaneously curbing carbon emissions from the transportation sector, it said. ISMA has made a representation to Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for a relaxation in Goods and Services Tax (GST) on FFVs. "Presently, FFVs are levied with a GST rate of 28 per cent, a notable contrast to the 5% GST rate applicable to electric vehicles. We request pari

Govt fixes sugar exports quota at 5,841 tn for EU under TRQ scheme

India on Friday notified sugar exports of 5,841 tonnes to the European Union under the tariff-rate quota (TRQ) scheme for 2023-24 (October 2023 to September 2024). TRQ is a quota for a volume of exports that enters the European Union (EU) with relatively low tariffs. After the quota reaches its limit, a higher tariff is applicable to additional shipments. "The Director General of Foreign Trade hereby allocates quantity of 5,841 MT for export of sugar to EU from India under TRQ for the year 2023-24 (October 2023 to September 2024)," an official notification said. It said that a Certificate of Origin, if required, for preferential export of sugar to EU, shall be issued by the Additional Director General of Foreign Trade, Mumbai on the recommendation of APEDA regarding the entity and quantity for which it is eligible. The quota will be operated by the Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) as the implementing agency for the export of TRQ items to

Govt set to ban sugar exports from October for first time in 7 years

India allowed mills to export only 6.1 million tonnes of sugar during the current season to Sept. 30, after letting them sell a record 11.1 million tonnes last season

National Food Security cardholders in Delhi to get free sugar: Cabinet

National Food Security cardholders in Delhi -- representing some of the most marginalised segments of society -- will now have access to free sugar after Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal approved on Monday a Cabinet decision in this regard. The Delhi Cabinet endorsed the proposal for free sugar distribution among families facing economic hardships in July. The beneficiary families will get the free sugar in addition to their existing entitlements of wheat and rice. The decision is set to benefit 68,747 National Food Security cardholders and a total 2,80,290 individuals in Delhi. The financial allocation for the initiative is estimated at Rs 111 crore, the chief minister's office said in a statement. The objective of the initiative, it said, is two-fold -- to mitigate the challenges faced by economically disadvantaged families and to ensure a higher degree of food security for all citizens. By extending essential support to those most in need, the Delhi government is affirming its ...

UPL SAS partners with NSL Sugars to enhance sustainable sugarcane yield

UPL Sustainable Agriculture Solutions on Friday said it has signed an agreement with NSL Sugars to promote sustainable sugarcane production and promote green agriculture through optimised usage of natural resources. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) with NSL Sugars will indirectly add about 50,000 farmers across Telangana, Karnataka and Maharashtra, UPL Sustainable Agriculture Solutions (UPL SAS) said in a statement. The primary objective of this partnership is to achieve a minimum of 15 per cent increase in yield to over 5 tonnes per acre, which will help farmers earn an additional income of Rs 12,000-15,000 per acre, the statement said. This also aims at reducing input costs for farmers while promoting sustainable agri practices. This collaborative effort is expected to save about 6 lakh litres of water and 50 kg of urea per acre, thereby promoting green agriculture practices and reducing environmental impact, the company added. UPL SAS and NSL Sugars will implement plans in

UK headline inflation rate easing but sugar, rent, insurance surging

fficial statistics showed the Consumer Prices Index slid to 6.8% last month from a four decade peak of 11.1% late last year

Nepal requests India to supply rice, sugar to avert possible food scarcity

The Nepal government has requested India to facilitate the supply of paddy, rice and sugar, a senior official said here on Wednesday, as a precautionary measure to mitigate any possible food scarcity in the upcoming festive season. The request was made through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Indian authorities last week, Commerce and Supplies Ministry Joint Secretary Ram Chandra Tiwari said. "Nepal has requested India to provide one million tonnes of paddy, 100,000 tonnes of rice, and 50,000 tonnes of sugar," he said. Though there is no immediate shortage of rice and sugar in the market, there are rumours about its possible scarcity following India's decision to ban the export of non-basmati white rice to the international market. So as a precautionary measure, the Nepal government has asked India to supply these food items, Tiwari said. There are also concerns that traders might resort to hoarding these goods, potentially driving up prices as the festive season approaches,