India is the world’s second-largest sugar producer after Brazil

India's sugar exports witnessed a massive growth of 291% from USD 1,177 million in FY 2013-14 to USD 4600 million in FY 2021-22, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry said on Monday.

As per official, India exported sugar to 121 countries across the globe.

Sugar export jumped 65 per cent in 2021-22 corresponding to the previous year. The growth was achieved despite logistical challenges posed by COVID19 pandemic in the form of high freight rates, container shortages, etc, the ministry said.

Highlighting the historic achievement in a tweet, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles Piyush Goyal said that Modi government’s policies were helping farmers increase their income by tapping global markets.

According to the official data, India had exported sugar worth of USD 1965 million in 2019-20, which rose to USD 2790 million in 2020-21 and USD 4600 million in 2021-22.

In 2021-22 (April-February), India has exported sugar worth of USD 769 million to Indonesia, followed by Bangladesh (USD 561 million), Sudan (USD 530 million) and U.A.E (USD 270 million).

India also exported sugar to Somalia, Saudi Arab, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Nepal, China, etc. Indian sweetener has also been imported by USA, Singapore, Oman, Qatar, Turkey, Iran, Syria, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Germany, France, New Zealand, Denmark, Israel, Russia, Egypt, etc.

According to the ministry, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka account for nearly 80 percent of the total sugar production in the country. The other major sugarcane-producing states are Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Haryana, and Punjab.

It is worth noting that India is the world’s second-largest sugar producer after Brazil. Since 2010-11, India has consistently produced surplus sugar, comfortably exceeding the domestic requirements.