Sugar Output May Exceed 16 MT This Year (04-Mar-2010)
Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar stated that due to improved yields in key growing states, India's sugar output in the current season could rise by 16 million tonnes (MT).
The output is still much short of India's annual demand of 23 MT.
Sugar season runs from October to September.
He said that the productivity of sugarcane has boosted considerably in Karnataka and Gujarat along with the top 2 producers Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.
The encouraging trend is that sugarcane productivity particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat has improved substantially.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra and UP produce nearly 60% of India's total sugar output.
He added that the government may revise upwards the sugar estimates after reports of higher cane yield from these states.
On the other hand, the government has estimated sugar output in the 2009-10 season (October-September) at 16 MT, against 14.7 MT in the previous season.
Earlier, Biscuit makers stated that the government's decision to reduce stock limits of sugar to 10 days will have an unfavorable impact on their production and also that they should be allowed to keep supplies for minimum 30 days.
Federation of Biscuits Manufacturers of India (FBIM) Secretary Mallika Verma stated that any control imposed on stock limit of sugar will restrict manufacturer's freedom in the manufacture of finished goods.
Previously, Kanhaiyalal Gidwani, a senior Maharashtra Congress leader has urged the Prime Minister to limit industrial users from consuming domestically produced sugar, stating that sugar prices could touch a high Rs 60 a kg if supply is not hiked.
Such a step can augment the supply by a hefty 40 lakh tonne as 20% of the domestic demand come from industrial users.
He said the Centre should change sugar control policy by restricting industrial users like manufacturers of soft drinks, fruit-juices, alcohol, chocolates and ice-creams from using locally produced sugar and instead allow them to import the sweetener.
Moreover, the Centre has extended the stock limit order for sugar till September for Sugar, where the states are authorized to take action against the hoarders and black marketers.
Earlier the validity of the anti-hoarding order was issued in March, 2009 and was supposed to expire on 31st of January, which has been further extended till September. Previously, the order was extended for 6 months till July, 2009.
However, earlier, it was said that inspite of the promise made by Mr. Sharad Pawar, Food Minister of the country, to reduce the retail prices of sugar, still the prices are increasing.
Therefore, to boost the domestic supply and temper prices, the Prime Minister - Dr. Manmohan Singh approved the proposal to sell imported raw sugar stocks lying at Mundra and Kandla ports.
Meanwhile, the government had announced a vital repose of norms for the import of raw sugar, where the sugar could be refined anywhere in the country and not only by the mill that had imported it.
Mr. Sharad Pawar, Agriculture Minister said to accelerate the refining of raw sugar and improve its availability in the market, the government has relaxed the central excise rules to enable the processing of sugar in any mills of the state.
On the other hand, Mr. Sharad Pawar our Food Minister has said, the country will have enough sugar this year, but the prices of sugar will continue to be higher because of the low output in sugar. Further he said rising prices of sugar is a big concern for the government.
Along with the Food Minister our Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh in a meeting with the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) has also expressed concern regarding rising of sugar prices and their possible impact on consumer prices.
Top News Today
 Godrej Properties, Mumbai based real estate developer launched its new residential project Godrej Alpine in Mangalore. It aims to complete 499-apartment Godrej Alpine for occupation in 36 months. Godrej
 Mahindra & Mahindra, auto major has stopped the second phase of booking for its latest sports utility vehicle XUV500. It has received over 25,000 orders in a period of 10 days from January 25 to February
 Reliance Power, the Anil Ambani group company's 2,400-MW Samalkot plant in Andhra Pradesh is likely to be ready for electricity generation this fiscal. It will install six gas turbines at the plant having
|
International Stock News
 The US markets rose on Monday, sending the Dow industrials to their highest close since 2008, as Greece's government made progress on measures to secure international aid. Also, a Labor Department report
 The US markets made a mix closing on Thursday, as a drop in jobless claims fueled optimism about the economy and investors looked to the next day's employment report as the next indicator of the economic
 The US markets made a mixed closing on Tuesday, with the indices mostly slipping after US economic data failed to live up to expectation. The reports showed that American consumer confidence trailed estimates
|
|
Recent Commodity-Market News
|
|