Sugar exports from India in the current marketing season (October 2021September 2022) are expected to be a record 9.5 million tonnes (mt). But that might not lead to sharp escalation in domestic prices since production is expected to be better than anticipated, the central government anticipated.

It said sugar production in 2021-22 is expected to be around 13 per cent higher than the previous year at 35 mt, while opening stocks at the start of the year are estimated to be around 8.5 mt.

This will mean a total availability of 43.5 mt of sugar in 2021-22. Of this, around 27.8 mt will be domestically consumed during the year, while 9.5 mt will be exported, consequently leaving a closing balance of 6.2 mt of sugar in FY22.

“As such there will be smooth availability of sugar. Sugar prices in the domestic market are expected to remain stable at reasonable levels,” the government said.

The government’s estimates of closing sugar stocks in the 2021-22 season are among the second lowest in a decade.