The consumption of sugar in India is likely to cross 29,000 tonnes in about 5 years on account of growing urbanization and changing food habits, as per study conducted by industry chamber Assocham. India has emerged as the biggest consumer of sugar in the world with a share of over 15% in global sugar consumption of about 168,734 tonnes.
The country’s sugar consumption is growing at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 2% and is likely to reach 29,353 tonnes by 2019-20 from the current level of about 26,000 tonnes. The study has suggested that there is a need to increase the area under cane as well as productivity through higher yields.
The production of sugar is expected to be around 250.46 lakh tons (LT) during 2014-15. These figures have been arrived at keeping in view the first advance estimates of sugarcane production released by the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation and discussion with the Cane Commissioners of the States.