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Prices of sugar were down in key wholesale markets across the country as the market factored in the import of sugar at a concessional duty in the next few days. Expectations of a record high production in Uttar Pradesh also weighed on the sentiment in north Indian markets. Sugar prices fell by 10-15 rupees per 100 kg in the spot markets of Delhi and Muzaffarnagar. Sluggish demand due to “pitrapaksha”, an inauspicious period in the Hindu calendar for new purchases, is also seen weighing on prices.

The government has allowed import of 300,000 tonne raw sugar at a basic customs duty of 25% under the tariff rate quote for 60 days. The import of 300,000 tonne sugar has been allowed through the ports of Tuticorin and Chennai in Tamil Nadu, Karaikal in Puducherry, Mangalore in Karnataka, and Kakinada, Visakhapatnam and Gang avaram in Andhra Pradesh. Since the import has been allowed under the tariff rate quota, millers and refiners have to convert the imported raw sugar into refined or white sugar within 30 days from the date of bill of entry.

Sugar output in Bihar is likely to increase to 550,000 tonne in the new season that starts October, marginally higher than this year’s 525,000 tonne. Floods in many parts of the state have hit output expectations for the upcoming season. Initially, the sugar output was expected at a record high of 625,000 tonne, as the cane acreage was very good, and farmers in most parts of the state had switched to high yielding cane varieties.

Sugar output in Karnataka for 2017-18 (Oct-Sep) is expected to be at 2.0-2.3 million tonne compared with 2.1 million tonne produced in 2016-17. India Sugar Mills Association revised its estimate for sugar production in Karnataka for the upcoming season to 2.3 million tonne from 2.5 million tonne projected earlier. The sugar body has revised the output view downwards as the satellite mapping showed that the area under cane in the state was lower than what was expected. Production of sugar may also get hit in 2018-19 owing to scanty rainfall in the state this year.

India Sugar Mills Association is likely to maintain its sugar output estimate for 2017-18 (Oct-Sep) at 25.1 million tonne. There is slight reduction in Karnataka’s output and a rise is seen in sugar production in Uttar Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh is the top producer of sugarcane in the country and along with Maharashtra accounts for half of India’s total sugar output.

Uttar Pradesh official:’17-18 cane area seen 2.3 million ha vs 2.1 million. Sugar output in Uttar Pradesh is likely to rise to a record 10.3 million tonne in the next season starting October from 8.77 million tonne year ago. Uttar Pradesh is the top producer of sugarcane in the country and along with Maharashtra accounts for half of India’s total sugar output. Last year, cane area in Uttar Pradesh was 20.5 lakh (2.05 million ha). This year there is an increase of 10-12%, and area is seen around 23 lakh (2.3 million ha). Sowing of sugarcane is almost at its ending stage and farmers so far have already planted nearly 2.3 million ha of sugarcane in Uttar Pradesh, up 5.1% on year.