New Delhi, Apr 7 (PTI) India's sugar demand is estimated to fall by 4 lakh tonnes during the March-April period due to short supply of commercial LPG and rainfall in some parts of the country, industry body ISMA said on Tuesday.
Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) Director General Deepak Ballani said the total domestic demand of sugar is estimated at 281 lakh tonnes in the 2025-26 marketing year (October- September).
He said the total demand in the first five months of this marketing year was higher by 60,000 tonnes compared to the corresponding period of 2024-25.
"The despatch of sugar from mills last month declined by around 2 lakh tonnes mainly because of supply issues in commercial LPG," Ballani said.
He said the demand is expected to fall by 2 lakh tonnes even during this month because of rainfall in many parts of the country, as well as the LPG issue.
Sugar demand increases during summer because of high consumption of beverages. Institutional consumers (like beverage companies and sweet shops) account for more than 70 per cent of the total domestic demand of sweetener in the country.
Ballani said the total demand in this marketing year is likely to fall to at least 277 lakh tonnes from the estimated 281 lakh tonnes, leading to higher closing stock of sugar at the end of September.
On exports, Ballani said the country is likely to export 7.5-8 lakh tonnes of sugar in the 2025-26 marketing year, lower than the nearly 16 lakh tonnes permitted by the food ministry.
Regarding production, he said the total output is estimated around 285 lakh tonnes after diversion of 35 lakh tonnes for ethanol making.
ISMA has been demanding increase in the minimum selling price of sugar and hike in the blending of ethanol in petrol from current 20 per cent.