New Delhi: Food and agriculture minister Sharad Pawar today informed Parliament that the country's overall sugar output was unlikely to decline this year on account of slow pace of cane crushing in some states, reports PTI.
“The initial slow pace of production by sugar mills in some states is unlikely to decrease production of sugar in the current sugar season as a whole,” Mr Pawar said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha today.
Of the total 600-odd sugar mills in the country, only 199 mills have started crushing operations in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka till 15th November of the current sugar season, which runs from October to September, according to official data.
Mr Pawar said that unseasonal rains during the October-November period of the 2010-11 sugar season have slowed down cane crushing activity in states like Maharashtra, the country’s biggest sugar producing state.
However, the minister exuded confidence that “the mills are likely to make it up in the course of time.”
After two years decline, sugar production in India, which is the world's second biggest producer, is estimated to be higher than demand at 24.5 million tonnes in the 2010-11 sugar season.
The country, which is the world's largest consumer of sugar, has an annual demand of about 23 million tonnes. Last year, the sugar output stood at 19 million.
Inside story of the National Stock Exchange’s amazing success, leading to hubris, regulatory capture and algo scam
Fiercely independent and pro-consumer information on personal finance.
1-year online access to the magazine articles published during the subscription period.
Access is given for all articles published during the week (starting Monday) your subscription starts. For example, if you subscribe on Wednesday, you will have access to articles uploaded from Monday of that week.
This means access to other articles (outside the subscription period) are not included.
Articles outside the subscription period can be bought separately for a small price per article.
Fiercely independent and pro-consumer information on personal finance.
30-day online access to the magazine articles published during the subscription period.
Access is given for all articles published during the week (starting Monday) your subscription starts. For example, if you subscribe on Wednesday, you will have access to articles uploaded from Monday of that week.
This means access to other articles (outside the subscription period) are not included.
Articles outside the subscription period can be bought separately for a small price per article.
Fiercely independent and pro-consumer information on personal finance.
Complete access to Moneylife archives since inception ( till the date of your subscription )
