India Emerges As World's Largest Producer And Consumer Of Sugar: Govt

India has emerged as the world's largest producer and consumer of Sugar as well as its second largest exporter globally, according to a Food Ministry release on Wednesday (4 October).

In Sugar Season (October-September) 2021-22, a record of more than 5,000 Lakh Metric Tons (LMT) sugarcane was produced in the country out of which about 3,574 LMT of sugarcane was crushed by sugar mills to produce about 394 LMT of sugar (Sucrose), the ministry said.

Out of this, 35 LMT sugar was diverted to ethanol production and 359 LMT sugar was produced by sugar mills, it added.

"With this, India has emerged as the world’s largest producer and consumer of sugar as well as the world’s 2nd largest exporter of sugar," the ministry said.

The ministry said that the season has proven to be a watershed season for Indian Sugar Sector.

"All records of sugarcane production, sugar production, sugar exports, cane procured, cane dues paid and ethanol production were made during the season," it said.

During the season, India achieved the highest exports of about 109.8 LMT that too with no financial assistance which was being extended upto 2020-21, the ministry said.

These exports earned foreign currency of about Rs. 40,000 crores for the country, it added.