KANPUR: The demand for the three new varieties of Sugar-Demerera, Organic and Golden are on an increase in the international market. Keeping this trend in view, the sugar mills are churning out these three varieties -each of which has its unique characteristic and exporting it. But there does not exist Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for these sugar types. The standardisation of these three sugar varieties is important to facilitate the international trade and also to earn foreign exchange, stated National Sugar Institute (NSI), Kanpur. The National Sugar Institute has taken up the work of setting standards for these sugar types as there is no BIS (bureau for Indian standards) specifications for them at present. This work has been assigned to NSI by BIS. 

Director, NSI, Prof Narendra Mohan said that in India there are 10 different types of sugar of which Demerera, Organic and golden sugar types does not have a mark of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) but still the demand for these three types are increasing both in the country and outside. Therefore, there is a need to set standard for these types of sugar as well, he said. 

The expert committee which met on Monday at NSI campus to release the sugar standards mentioned that now the Indian Sugar Factories are eyeing on growing special sugar market in the country and abroad so as to facilitate exports and also to earn price premium. At present, for many such sugars, Demerara Sugar, Brown Sugar, Organic Sugar and Golden Sugar, no BIS Specifications are available. 

The committee constituted by the BIS under the Chairmanship of the Director has taken up the work for preparation of the specifications for such sugars after analysing the samples of such sugars and studying the specifications prevalent in other countries. 

Formulation of specifications and thus standardization of product is necessary for the sake of common consumer. Further, it will also ease problems in trade and thus more exports may be expected in future, Prof Narendra Mohan said. 

While organic sugar is manufactured from the sugarcane which is free from pesticides and insecticides and is therefore witnessing an increase in demand despite being costly, the demerera sugar type if mixed in the milk gives a taste of the coffee. The organic sugar is available in market for Rs 150 a kg, the demerera sugar is available for Rs 80 (for half a kg).