Global production of sugar needs to be raised to meet the increasing demand, says the International Sugar Organisation (ISO). The global production of sugar currently stands at 172 million tons (mt) and needs to be increased by 28 mt by 2020.
It is expected that demand will increase in countries like China and Africa which are currently consuming sugar below the global per capita consumption. The world per capita average of 24 kg per annum while China’s sugar consumption is 10-11 kg and Africa’s consumption is even lower. The rising population and increasing popularity of sweet dishes and confectionaries in these nations is likely to push the demand up.
India is the world’s second biggest sugar producer after Brazil, and the largest consumer. The country is expected to produce 25.2 mt this year, as against the domestic demand of 22 mt. As a result India has allowed export of three mt this year, of which the government is yet to notify one mt. The ISO has said that it appreciates the governments caution in deregulation.