India's sugar consumption to exceed production by 2020

NEW DELHI  : By, 2020-21, Sugar consumption in India is forecast to rise 31.3 million tons, while the production is estimated to be around 26.4 million tons, according to Narendra Murkumbi, Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA).

During 2010-11, India's production stood at 24.4 million tons and consumption was 21.7 million tons.

According to ISMA, the increased usage brought about by the lifestyle changes due to the present surplus sugar production, reoported The Wall Street Journal.

The gross domestic product growth and lifestyle changes is said to increase demand for Sugar and processed foods.
Limited availability of irrigated lands and the increased contruction activities on the farm lands by the major construction firms etc is also pulling down the production capacity of the country.

India is the world's biggest sugar consumer, with its 1.2 billon people.

On NCDEX, the sugar for December contract traded down 0.63% to Rs 3010 on 30th November at 11:00 IST.