Keeping it sweet: India expects a rise in sugar output on decent monsoon

Maharashtra's production fell 50% from a year ago to 4.18 million tonnes in 2016/17

India's 2017/18 sugar production will likely jump a quarter from the previous year to 25 million tonnes as decent monsoon rains are forecast, the head of an industry body told Reuters.

That rebound in output to volumes near consumption levels could sap demand for imports from the world's biggest consumer of the sweetener, dragging on international prices that are already near their lowest in over a year.

India was forced to import 500,000 tonnes of sugar in the 2016/17 crop year ending Sept 30 after a strong El Nino weather pattern prompted severe drought in 2015.

"Local supply will be enough to cater