Sugar export to be considered after Diwali: Pawar

Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today said the government will consider allowing sugar export post Diwali after assessing the overall demand-supply situation.

"We will consider sugar export after Diwali. We have to see the overall situation," Pawar told reporters here.

Pawar said sugar output will be in the range of 24-24.5 million tonnes in 2010-11 marketing year (October- September).
    
"This will be the best year in terms of sugar production and productivity... The production this year will be in the range of 24-24.5 million tonnes," Pawar said.
    
The country's annual domestic demand is pegged at 23 million tonnes. India is the world's second largest producer and the biggest consumer of sugar.
    
India is importing sugar from February 2009 to meet its domestic demand because of shortfall in production.
    
Sugar output increased to 19 million tonnes in 2009-10 sugar year ended last month as against 14.7 million tonnes in the previous year.
    
Although there is no official ban on sugar export, the Food Ministry is not giving export permits since 2009.

The government recently allowed mills to fulfill their export obligation of about 9,50,000 tonnes by March 2011 -- the deadline.
    
On decontrol of sugar sector, Pawar said that the matter would be discussed with the major sugar producing states after Diwali.
    
"We have to discuss with major sugar producing states. I will start the meeting after Diwali," he said.
    
On the expected production of paddy, Pawar said that this would be definitely higher than the last year, but whether it would exceed the 2008-09 season's record, is to be seen.
    
Declining to put any figure on the estimated wheat production, he said that the acreage this year would be higher than last year.
    
"In agriculture, unless it reaches to farmers' doorstep, you have to cross the fingers. Major wheat producing states have conveyed to me yesterday about the increased acreage. Late rains will also help wheat production as also sugarcane and pulses," Pawar said.
    
Pawar, however, said that government is not considering lifting ban on wheat and non-basmati rice exports as the country has to protect its own interest first.
    
"Stocks are good, but we have to think of tomorrow's security. Besides, we are in the process of National Food Security Law," he said when asked whether the government would lift ban on export of the two essential food commodities in the face of excess stocks.
    
On the popularity of the public-private model in the creation of storage space, he said the model is receiving good response in all states except Gujarat.