India Sugar Exports and Outlook

India is the world’s second-largest sugar producer after Brazil. Since 2010-11, India has consistently produced surplus sugar, comfortably exceeding the domestic requirements. Exports would enable the sugar producers to reduce their stocks and would also benefit the sugarcane farmers, as the increased demand for Indian sugar is likely to improve their realizations.

Global sugar production is forecast up 1.7 million tons to 182.9 million for 2022-23. Consumption is anticipated to rise to a new record due to growth in markets including China, India, Indonesia, and Russia.

Global sugar consumption is expected to increase to around 2.5 million tons in line with anticipated economic recovery in 2023. Improved business activity and the return of foreign tourists will help boost the hotel and food service sector from the pandemic-induced recession.

Higher Production of Sugar to Ease Export Curbs

Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) has released the preliminary estimates for sugar production for 2022-23 marketing year (October-September). As per the ISMA, the sugar production in 2022-23 is estimated at 35.5 million tons as against 36 million tons in the current marketing year ending September.

According to news reports and inputs from key growing states, the prospect of sugarcane crop has brightened owing to better rains in major growing states of Maharashtra and Karnataka, and irrigation in Uttar Pradesh.

India’s domestic demand for sugar is seen at around 27.5 million tons in the 2022-23, which will leave a surplus of about 8 million tons for exports. In May 2022, the government of India capped sugar exports at 10 million tons in the current 2021-22 marketing year to maintain the domestic availability and price stability.

India Sugar Exports Growth

India's Sugar Exports witnessed an astounding growth of 291% from USD 1.18 billion in FY 2013-14 to USD 4.60 billion in FY 2021-22. As per the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCI&S) data, India exported sugar to 121 countries across the globe.

Sugar export jumped 65 per cent in 2021-22 corresponding to previous year. The growth was achieved despite logistical challenges posed by Covid-19 pandemic in the form of high freight rates, container shortages, etc.

According to the DGCI&S data, India had exported sugar worth of USD 1.97 billion in 2019-20, which rose to USD 2.79 billion in 2020-21.

In 2021-22 (April-February), India has exported sugar worth of USD 769 million to Indonesia, followed by Bangladesh (USD 561 million), Sudan (USD 530 million) and U.A.E (USD 270 million). India also exported sugar to Somalia, Saudi Arab, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Nepal, China, etc. Indian sweetener has also been imported by USA, Singapore, Oman, Qatar, Turkey, Iran, Syria, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Germany, France, New Zealand, Denmark, Israel, Russia, Egypt, etc.

Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka account for nearly 80 percent of the total sugar production in India. The other major sugarcane-producing states are Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Haryana, and Punjab.