MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF
CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a): The Government does not maintain data on the pattern of sugar consumption in rural and
urban India and also in terms of human and industrial consumption.
(b): The estimate of demand/ internal consumption, production and estimated availability of
sugar during each of the last three years (sugar seasons) (Oct.-Sept.) and estimates for the
current year/sugar season (Oct-Sept.) are as under:
(Qty. in lac tons)
Sl.No. Season Demand/Internal Production Availability Consumption of sugar
1. 2005-06 183.21 189.59 233.21
2. 2006-07 199.00 282.00 326.00
3. 2007-08(P) 210.00 263.00 368.00
4. 2008-09(E) 225.00 150-155 269-274
(P) – Provisional (E) – Estimated
(c)&(d): In order to augment domestic availability of sugar, the Central Government has
permitted duty free import of white / refined sugar upto 1 million ton under OGL by the
designated agencies upto 01.08.2009 vide notification dated 17.04.2009. Further, the Government
has also permitted sugar factories to import raw sugar under Advance Authrorization Scheme
upto 30.09.2009 and under Open General License (OGL) upto 01.08.2009 and sell the processed
raw sugar within India so as to increase availability of sugar in the domestic market. This is
with a view to keep sugar prices at a reasonable level.
As per the latest report (29.06.09) from the Department of Commerce, the total quantity of
white/refined sugar contracted by the designated agencies is 108895 M.Ts. As per trade
circles, about 25 lac tons of raw sugar have been contracted by Indian sugar factories out of
which 17.43 lac tons have already arrived or would be arriving shortly. However, information
received from Central Board of Excise and Customs indicates clearance of 5.83 lac tons of raw
sugar from customs warehouses since 17.04.09 upto 30.06.2009.
