May 19, 2022
The Economic Times| https://bit.ly/3wFxri4
India's 2021-22 sugar exports are expected to rise by 25%, according to estimate of industry body Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA). India is likely to export 90 lakh tonnes of sugar in the current sugar year, against 71.91 lakh tonnes it exported in the previous year.
In the current season, 521 mills operated against 506 mills which operated last season. As on 15th May, 2022, 405 mills had closed their crushing operations while 116 sugar mills were still operating in the country. However, in the last season 2020-21, 461 mills had closed their crushing operations and only 45 mills were operating on the corresponding date.
"The net sugar production without diversion into ethanol is higher by 58.07 lakh tonnes as compared to last year, higher by about 18%. However, in terms of actual sugar produced after considering diversion for production of ethanol, the difference in sugar production is about 44.06 lakh tonnes owing to higher estimated sugar diversion by about 14 lac tons into ethanol this year," said ISMA.
ISMA expects most of the operating factories to close by the end of this month. However, a few mills may operate till first fortnight of June, 2022.
"As per port information and market reports, over 85 lakh tonnes of contracts for export of sugar have already been entered into so far. Out of this, around 71 lakh tonnes of sugar have been physically exported out of the country till end of April 2022. Compared to this 43.19 lakh tonnes of sugar was exported during the corresponding period last year. Further, it is also reported that another about 8 -10 lakh tonnes of sugar is in pipeline to be physically exported in May 2022. ISMA expects over 90 lakh tonnes of export in the current season against 71.91 lakh tonnes exported in last season," said ISMA in a release.
ISMA has said that the dom we stick sugar consumption has increased in the current year.
"As per information furnished by mills and estimations made by ISMA, total sales in the month of April,2022 has been estimated as 23.91 lakh tonnes. Total sales in the current season upto April, 2022 are estimated at 160.05 lakh tonnes against 152.61 lakh tonnes during the same period last year. This would mean that sales in the current year upto April,2022 are higher by about 7.5 lakh tonnes or about 5% higher than the last year corresponding period," said ISMA.