The Government may consider allowing more sugar exports on higher output in the current 2011-12 season.
So far, the Government has allowed exports of 3 mt in three tranches. However, the export notification for 1 mt approved late March is yet to be issued by the Food Ministry.
“We will consider more exports in the coming Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) meet as our production is good,” the Food Minister, Mr K.V. Thomas said. The EGoM is expected to meet on April 25.
The EGoM is also expected to discuss the shipment modalities for the export of 1 mt after which notification is likely to be issued. “We are not against allowing exports of some more quantity of sugar as our position is good,” Mr Thomas told reporters.
The Food Ministry expects production for the 2011-12 season to touch 25.5 mt, up from 24.6 mt last year.
However, the sugar industry which has forecast an output of 26 mt for the current year, stands by its initial projections. Domestic consumption is seen at 22 mt.