India’s Sugar Production Raised by Association on Cane Supplies

Sugar output in India, the world’s second-biggest producer, is expected to be higher in 2012-13 than an earlier estimate because of increased cane supplies in Maharashtra, the Indian Sugar Mills Association said.

Output is expected to be 24.6 million metric tons in the year ending Sept. 30, compared with a January estimate of 24.3 million tons, the industry association said in an e-mailed statement today. That compares with the Food Ministry’s estimate of 25 million tons.

The output would bolster inventory, New Delhi-based Abinash Verma, ISMA’s director general, said by phone today. Sugar stockpiles may total 7.5 million tons on Oct. 1, enough to meet demand in the world’s top-consuming nation for four months, he said.

India’s sugar production may drop to 24 million tons in 2013-14, as dry weather curbs planting, Farm Minister Sharad Pawar said March 13.

To contact the reporter on this story: Pratik Parija in New Delhi at pparija@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: James Poole at jpoole4@bloomberg.net