India's sugar exports may touch 3 mt in FY08

The country's sugar exports crossed one million tonnes till January and are expected to reach three million tonnes in 2007-08 season on the back of increased demand for raw sugar overseas.

India, the world's second largest producer, exported about 1.8 million tonnes in the 2006-07 season. The sugar season starts from October and ends in September.

"Till now, the share of raw and white sugar in the export basket is fifty-fifty. But in the coming days, the advantage will be for raw sugar," said Rakesh Sharma of K S Commodities.

India has exported over one million tonnes of sugar till January-end in the current season, he said.

As per the present trend, the country can export another two million tonnes during the remaining period of this season, Sharma said. Of the total expected export, 1.8-2 million tonnes would be raw variety, he added.

When asked about the reason for expected rise in exports during current season, Sharma said, "export was down last season because of ban on shipments for over three months despite record production."

Besides, export of raw sugar has come as an additional benefit for India, which has never exported the variety earlier, he said.