India set to beat Brazil in sugar production after 15 years

India is set to push Brazil to second position in sugar production during 2018-19 after 15 years, while the global production is also estimated to tumble to nearly 185.9 MTs.

The sugar production in India is estimated to touch 35.9 million tonnes (MTs), registering an increase of about 5.2 per cent over last year, according to the latest report of the US Department of Agriculture.

The report, released on Tuesday, has estimated Brazil’s sugar production to dip by 8.3 MTs and bringing its total production to 30.6 MTs during this sugar year, reports TOI.

It says the 21 per cent drop in sugar manufacturing is primarily “due to lower sugarcane yields and more sugarcane being diverted towards ethanol production as record global sugar supplies have led to weak prices”.

The global production of the sweetener is about nine million tonnes lower than last year, mainly attributed to Brazil cutting down its sugar manufacturing.

Attributing that the higher area and yields in India would boost the production of sugar in the country, the report said.

The sugar consumption is also forecast at a record 27.5 MTs due to a growing population and strong demand from food processors.