Chinese delegation in India to import sugar

Shiv Kumar
Tribune News Service
Mumbai, December 8

China could emerge as a major consumer for Indian sugar, according to the National Federation of Co-operative Sugar Factories.

The Federation is hosting a delegation from the neighbouring country, which is in India to tie-up long term arrangements for the import of sugar. After visiting New Delhi on Friday, the delegation will visit Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. The two states account for the bulk of sugar production in the country.

"The delegation from China was content with the information provided about dovetailed practices concerning production, processing, storage and transport of sugar in India,” a statement issued by NFCSF said.

According to the federation's president Dilip Walse-Patil, India is
looking to export at least 20 lakh tonnes of sugar every year to the neighbouring country. India's sugar industry is hoping that at least two million tonnes of raw sugar are exported to China in 2019, which could be increased progressively down the line.

Officials from the Maharashtra sugar federation say India is sitting on at least 44 million tonnes of sugar. Another 35 million tonnes of sugar is expected to be produced by the summer of 2019. On the other hand domestic demand for sugar is 26 million tonnes annually.