Page 2 - Isma

ISMA urges govt to permit sugar export of 1 million tonne this season

Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) has requested the government to allow the export of 10 lakh tonne of sugar in the current 2023-24 season, anticipating healthy closing stock by the season-end. Sugar production has reached 302.20 lakh tonne till March of the current season against 300.77 lakh tonne in the year-ago period, it said in a statement. The sugar season runs from October to September. Currently, there are curbs on the export of sugar from the country. In mid-March, ISMA revised its net sugar production estimate for the 2023-24 season to 320 lakh tonne. "In light of the above, ISMA has requested the government to permit the export of 10 lakh tonne of sugar in the current season," ISMA said. The request for export suggests a careful balance between meeting domestic consumption needs, sustaining the Ethanol Blending Program (EBP) and leveraging surplus for export opportunities, it added. The industry body said weather forecasting agencies have predicted a normal to ...

Net sugar output dips to 280 MT so far in 2023-24 mkt yr ending Sep: ISMA

India's net sugar production fell marginally to 280.79 lakh tonnes till March 15 of the current marketing year that started in October 2023, according to trade data released on Monday. Sugar marketing year runs from October to September. "Sugar production till 15th March 2024 in the current 2023-24 season reached 280.79 lakh tonnes, against 282.60 lakh tonnes produced last year on the corresponding date," Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) said in a statement. Number of factories operating as on March 15 this year stood at 371 as against 325 mills on the same day last year. In Uttar Pradesh, sugar production stood at 88.40 lakh tonnes as against 79.63 lakh tonnes during the period under review. Sugar output in Maharashtra fell marginally to 100.50 lakh tonnes from 101.92 lakh tonnes, while production in Karnataka declined to 47.55 lakh tonnes from 53.50 lakh tonnes. Recently, ISMA has pegged sugar production at around 323 lakh tonnes for the 2023-24 marketing year after the ..

ISMA revises upwards estimates of gross sugar output to 34 mn tonnes

Sugar industry body ISMA on Wednesday revised its estimates for gross production of the sweetener by 9.5 lakh tonnes to 340 lakh tonnes in the marketing year ending September. In January, Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) had projected the gross sugar production, without any diversion for ethanol, at 330.5 lakh tonnes in 2023-24 marketing year (October-September). In a statement, ISMA said the gross sugar production is now estimated at 340 lakh tonnes in 2023-24, as against the gross output of 366.2 lakh tonnes in the previous year. The executive Committee of ISMA in its meeting held on March 12, noted the sugar recovery, cane yield, remaining harvestable area / sugarcane and expected dates of closure of factories in different States. The panel agreed that sugarcane availability in Maharashtra and Karnataka is higher than expected. However, cane availability in another major state, Uttar Pradesh, is predicted to be lower than earlier estimates. "Accordingly, ISMA has revised

Sugar output falls 2.48% to 22.36 mn tonnes till Feb 15 of FY24: ISMA

The country's sugar production dipped 2.48 per cent to 22.36 million tonnes till February 15 of the ongoing 2023-24 marketing year, as per the industry body ISMA's latest data. Sugar production stood at 22.93 million tonnes in the year-ago period. Sugar marketing year runs from October to September. In its second estimate, the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) has projected sugar output to decline by 10 per cent to 33.05 million tonnes in the current 2023-24 marketing year as against 36.62 million tonnes in the previous year. According to ISMA, sugar production in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu remained lower till February 15 of the ongoing marketing year. However, sugar output in Uttar Pradesh -- the country's second largest producer of the sweetener -- was higher at 6.77 million tonnes as against 6.12 million tonnes in the period under review. The production in Maharasthra -- the country's largest producing state of sugar -- was down at 7.94 million tonnes t

Rs 15K cr at risk due to sudden ban on cane juice for making ethanol: ISMA

Industry body ISMA on Friday said the "sudden" ban on the use of cane juice for ethanol will have an adverse impact on capacity utilisation of mills, putting at "risk" their Rs 15,000 crore investment in the last three years to set up plants for green fuel. It also fears that there could be a delay in payments to sugarcane farmers. The Centre recently banned use of cane juice for ethanol in view of likely drop in sugar production during 2023-24 marketing year (October-September). Indian Sugar Mills' Association (ISMA) demanded that the government revise soon the prices of ethanol made from B-heavy and C-heavy mollases, a by-product of sugar, to improve the financial health of the millers. "The sudden ban on use of sugar cane juice/syrup for ethanol in 2023-24 supply year with immediate effect, is a big deterrent for the sugar industry," ISMA President Aditya Jhunjhunwala said at its 89th annual general meeting. The ban has put the industry in a difficult situation, he said, and ur

Isma projects 9% fall in sugar output, says sufficient to meet local demand

Industry body ISMA on Tuesday projected a 9 per cent fall in gross sugar production at 337 lakh tonnes for the current marketing year starting this month but asserted the output will be enough to meet domestic demand. It has not estimated the diversion of sugar for ethanol production. "Gross sugar production for the 2023-24 sugar season has been estimated at around 337 lakh tonnes," Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) said in a statement. The sugar marketing year runs from October to September. In August, ISMA had estimated gross sugar production at 369 lakh tonnes, while the net sugar output was projected at 328 lakh tonnes after a diversion of 41 lakh tonnes for ethanol. "With India's domestic consumption average of 278.5 lac tons, the production estimates assure sufficient sugar for domestic consumption," ISMA said. ISMA said that the diversion of sugar towards ethanol would be estimated only after the declaration of feed stock-wise ethanol procurement price for the 2023-24

Isma for staggered payment of sugarcane FRP to farmers in instalments

Proposal might not find much favour with farmers in an election year

Govt pulls up ISMA for premature estimation of 2023-24 sugar output

The secretary said he will hold a discussion with ISMA about this issue and added that it is too early to predict sugarcane and sugar production for the 2023-24 season, starting in October

Govt pulls up ISMA for premature estimation of low sugar output for 2023-24

Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra on Friday came down heavily on industry body ISMA saying its "highly premature" assessment of sugar production has created a panic that there is a sugar shortage in the country. The secretary said he will hold a discussion with ISMA about this issue and added that it is too early to predict sugarcane and sugar production for the 2023-24 season, starting in October. Chopra asserted that prices of sugar and other essential commodities will remain stable during the upcoming festival season. Earlier this week, Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) released its preliminary estimate of sugar production for the 2023-24 season (October-September) at 317 lakh tonne against 328 lakh tonne for the current season. Addressing a press conference, Chopra said ISMA has estimated 317 lakh tonne of sugar production and 45 lakh tonne of sugar diversion for ethanol production for the next season. "This we thought is getting some kind of panic that there is a shortage of

ISMA pegs sugar output lower by 3.41% at 31.68 mn tons in 2023-24 season

The country's sugar production is pegged lower by 3.41 per cent to 316.80 lakh tonnes in the new season that will begin from October 2023, due to more diversion of cane for ethanol production, according to the industry body ISMA. In the ongoing 2022-23 season (October-September), sugar production is estimated at 328 lakh tonnes. Releasing a preliminary estimate, Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) said about 45 lakh tonnes of sugar will be diverted towards production of ethanol in the next season 2023-24, as compared to about 41 lakh tonnes in current season. Sugar production in the 2023-24 season is, however, estimated to be higher than the domestic consumption of 275 lakh tonnes, leaving a surplus of 42 lakh tonnes at the end of the season, it added. Total sugarcane acreage remains slightly higher at 59.81 lakh hectare in 2023-24, as against 59.07 lakh hectare in the previous year. Cane acreage in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu remains lower, ISMA said.

ISMA cuts sugar output estimates by 3.5% to 328 lakh tonnes for 2022-23

Sugar industry body ISMA has revised downwards the country's sugar production estimate to 328 lakh tonnes for the current marketing year ending September, from an earlier projection of 340 lakh tonnes. The downward revision has been made due to a fall in sugar output in Maharashtra to 105 lakh tonnes in the 2022-23 marketing year (October-September), from an earlier projection of 121 lakh tonnes. Sugarcane crushing season has ended in the state. "ISMA has revised its all-India sugar production estimate for 2022-23 (after diversion into ethanol) to 328 lakh tonnes, after considering diversion of about 40 lakh tonnes of sugar equivalent into ethanol," the association said in a statement on Wednesday. In January, ISMA had projected output of 340 lakh tonnes, after diversion of 45 lakh tonnes towards ethanol. Sugar production in 2021-22 stood at 358 lakh tonnes post diversion towards ethanol. "Crushing season in Maharashtra has ended at around 105 lakh tonnes, lower than our earlier

Sugar production up 3.42% to 19.35 mn tonnes in Oct-Jan of 2022-23: ISMA

The country's sugar production rose 3.42 per cent to 193.5 lakh tonnes in the first four months of the ongoing marketing year ending September, on rise in output in key producing states, industry body ISMA said on Thursday. Sugar production stood at 187.1 lakh tonnes during October-January period of the previous marketing year. Sugar marketing year runs from October to September. India is a major sugar producing country in the world. Releasing the latest production figures, the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) said around 520 mills were operating as on January 31, as against 510 mills in the year-ago period. Total sugar production, after diversion for ethanol manufacturing, has increased to 193.5 lakh tonnes till January of the current marketing year from 187.1 lakh tonnes in the year-ago period, it said. Sugar production in Maharashtra, the country's leading producing state of the sweetener, rose to 73.8 lakh tonnes during October-January of the ongoing marketing year from 7

Sugar production to fall 5% to 34 mn tonnes in 2022-23 marketing year: ISMA

India's sugar production is estimated to fall 5 per cent during 2022-23 marketing year ending September to 340 lakh tonnes as more quantity of sugarcane juice is being diverted for production of ethanol, according to industry body ISMA. Sugar production stood at 358 lakh tonnes in the 2021-22 marketing year (October-September). In a statement, Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) said sugar production in 2022-23 is estimated at around 340 lakh tonnes after diversion of 45 lakh tonnes of sweetener towards ethanol manufacturing. Sugarcane juice/syrup and B-molasses are being diverted to ethanol making. In the previous 2021-22 marketing year, 32 lakhs tonnes of sweetener were diverted towards manufacturing of ethanol for blending with petrol. Based on the images of harvested and balance area, field visits, current trend of yields and sugar recoveries, ISMA has released its second advance estimates of sugar production for 2022-23. The actual sugar production in Maharashtra is estimat

Sugar mills enter into contract to export 5.5 mn tonne of sweetener

Sugar mills have entered into contracts to export 55 lacs tons of sweetener so far in current marketing year ending September and out of that, according to industry body ISMA

India's Oct-Dec sugar output up 3.69% at 12.07 million tonnes: ISMA

The country's sugar production rose 3.69 per cent to 120.7 lakh tonnes in the October-December quarter of the ongoing marketing year, according to the industry body ISMA. Sugar production in India, one of the world's major producers of the sweetener, stood at 116.4 lakh tonnes in the same period of the previous marketing year. Sugar marketing year runs from October to September. According to the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA), about 509 mills were operating as against 500 mills in the said period. Sugar production in Uttar Pradesh reached the year-ago level of 30.9 lakh tonnes, while in Maharashtra it rose marginally to 46.8 lakh tonnes during October-December of the 2022-23 marketing year, as against 45.8 lakh tonnes in the year-ago period, it said in a statement. Sugar production in Karnataka rose slightly to 26.7 lakh tonnes, as against 26.1 lakh tonnes in the said period. The production of sugar has reached 3.8 lakh tonnes in Gujarat, 2.6 lakh tonnes in Tamil Nadu and

Sugar production may see marginal fall in 2022-23 on extended rains

Industry players said the prime reason for a slight drop in output is due to the fact that the sugarcane crushing season started late

India enters into deal for export of 3.5 MT sugar so far in 2022-23: ISMA

India has entered into a contract for export of about 35 lakh tonnes of sugar so far in the ongoing 2022-23 season, out of which 2,00,000 tonnes have been shipped last month, industry body ISMA said on Thursday. The 2022-23 sugar export policy announced on November 5 allowed exports of 60 lakh tonnes of the sweetener on a quota-basis till May 31. Further quantities for export would be allowed after assessing the domestic production. Sugar season begins from October to September. According to Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA), "As per port information and market reports, about 35 lakh tonnes of contracts for export of sugar have already been entered into so far." Out of this, about 2,00,000 tonnes sugar have been physically exported out of the country in October, when compared to about 4,00,000 tonnes in the corresponding month last year, it said in a statement. ISMA noted several traders entered into export contracts for the 2022-23 season much before the export policy was ...

Govt terminates anti-dumping probe against China, Thailand and Vietnam

The commerce ministry has terminated an anti-dumping investigation into import of solar cells from China, Thailand and Vietnam following a request from the Indian Solar Manufacturers Association(ISMA). On May 15, 2021, the ministry's investigation arm Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) initiated a probe into alleged dumping of "solar cells whether or not assembled into modules or panels" exported from the three nations, following a complaint by the association. "In view of the request made by the domestic industry, ISMA,...the authority hereby terminates the investigation initiated on May 15, 2021... against the imports of solar cells whether or not assembled into modules or panels exported by these countries," the DGTR said in a notification. Anti-dumping rules, 1995 provide for termination of a probe in certain situations which include withdrawal of application by the affected domestic industry at whose instance the investigation was initiated. The notification said th

ISMA hails sugar export policy, confident of govt nod for add'l 3 mn tons

Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) on Monday welcomed the government's decision to allow export of 6 million tonnes of sugar till May 31, of the 2022-23 season and expressed confidence of getting export nod for additional 3 million tonnes. While the industry had requested the government to allow exports of 9 million tonnes of sugar, the Food Ministry on November 5, permitted only 6 million tonnes on a quota basis till May 31 of the 2022-23 season (October-September). The government has said it could reconsider further quantities after assessing the domestic production. "Sugar industry is confident that the government will allow sugar exports of additional 3 million tonnes," ISMA said in a statement. This would ensure steady domestic prices, enabling timely cane price payment to farmers and lower inventory levels ensuring there are no additional costs incurred by mills, it added. ISMA hailed the government's sugar export policy and said the tradable quota scheme will ensure ...

Centre extends ban on sugar exports; opens door for shipments under quotas

The government has extended restrictions on sugar exports till October 31 next year, a move aimed at increasing availability of the commodity in the domestic market. Earlier, the restrictions were imposed till October 31 this year. "Restriction on export of sugar (raw, refined, and white sugar) is extended beyond October 31, 2022 till October 31, 2023, or until further orders, whichever is earlier. Other conditions will remain unchanged," the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification dated October 28. However, it said these restrictions will not be applicable on sugar being exported to the EU and the US under CXL and TRQ duty concession quotas. A specified amount of sugar is exported to these regions under CXL and TRQ (tariff rate quota). India has been the highest producer and the second largest exporter of sugar in the world in the current year.