The Indian Sugar Industry: An Overview

Abstract

Sugar industry is the second largest agro-based industry in India and contributes significantly to the socio-economic development of rural population. It supports 50 million farmers and their families and provides direct employment to over 0.5 million skilled and semi-skilled persons in sugar mills and integrated industries. The Indian sugar industry plays a leading role in global sugar market being the world’s second largest producer after Brazil, producing nearly 15 and 25% of global sugar and sugarcane, respectively. The sugar industry which encompasses 599 operating sugar mills, 309 distilleries and 180 cogeneration plant and numerous pulp, paper and chemical making units is supported by four leading sugarcane research institutions, twenty-two state sugarcane research stations, world class sugar machinery manufacturers, suppliers and technical experts. Currently, the industry produces around 300–350 million tonnes (Mt) cane, 20–22 Mt white sugar and 6–8 Mt jaggery and khandsari to meet the domestic consumption of sweeteners. Besides, about 2.7 billion liters of alcohol and 2,300 MW power and many chemicals are also produced. The industry is able to export around 1,300 MW of power to the grid. Indian sugar industry is fully capable of meeting demand of potable alcohol as well as 10% blending in gasoline. Industry is gradually transforming into sugar complexes by producing sugar, bio-electricity, bio-ethanol, bio-manure and chemicals; these contribute about 1% to the National GDP. Emerging businesses like fuel ethanol, raw sugar and structural changes in global market have provided new horizons for the Indian sugar industry. The sector today has transformational opportunities that would enable it not only to continue to service the largest domestic markets but has also emerged as a significant carbon credit and green power producer and has the potential to support an ethanol blending programme of E10 and beyond.