SUGAR INDUSTRY IN INDIA (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The Centre may consider imposing stock limits on sugar trade recently if inventory disclosure is not upheld.Sugar Industry in India

• In India's sugar industry, sugarcane is a heavy, low-value, weight-losing, and perishable raw material.
• India ranks second globally in sugar production, but it leads in gur and khandsari production.
• Due to sucrose content loss, sugarcane cannot be preserved indefinitely.
• India, a major player in the global sugar trade, produced 33 million metric tonnes of sugar in 2017/2018.
• The country is currently experiencing record-high sugar output and is on course to surpass Brazil as the world's leading sugar producer.

Sugarcane

• Temperature: Ideally between 21-27°C, in a hot and humid climate.
• Rainfall: Requiring approximately 75-100 cm of annual precipitation.
• Soil Type: Thriving in deep, nutrient-rich loamy soil.
• Geographical Distribution: The top sugarcane-producing states are Maharashtra, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka.
• Sugarcane can be grown on various soil types, including sandy loam and clay loam, provided they are well-drained.
• Sugarcane serves as the primary source for sugar, Gur (jaggery), khandsari, and molasses production.