Sugar output in India increases 25%: Trade body

According to the statement by a leading trade body, 17.7 million tonnes of sugar have been produced by Indian sugar mills in the first four months of the 2020/21 marketing year which began on Oct. 1, comparing to the quarter of last year which production was increased in Maharashtra.

India is the second biggest sugar producer in the world; also, the volume of the production could impact on global prices.

"The India's second biggest sugar producing state, Maharashtr, produced 6.38 million tonnes of sugar in the four months, compared to 3.46 million tonnes of last year," said the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) in a statement on Tuesday.

India increased the import tax on denatured ethyl alcohol to twice to 5% in the annual budget on Monday. The decision would make imports expensive and enhance demand for local alcohol, the trade body said.

The sugar factories of country produce alcohol from cane juice and molasses, which is a by-product of sugar-making.