CIFA opposes sugar import into India

Consortium of Indian Farmers Associations (CIFA), an Indian farmers' body, has alleged that some sugar has already been brought into the country, even as government is still trying to assess the production in the country and need for any imports.

A release from CIFA stated: "As per market reports, some sugar has already been brought into the country by speculators, who are now putting pressure on the Government to reduce import duty so that they can immediately offload their sugar in the country." 


The farmers body claims to represent the sugarcane farmers and their associations and forums from the six top sugar producing states - Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu. 

"We are happy to note that the current sugar prices are reasonably good, and are allowing the sugar mills to cover their costs and pay cane price of farmers, because of which the cane price arrears this year is currently almost 50% lower than that of last year at the same time," stated the CIFA release.

However, farmers' body claimed that notwithstanding the substantial help from UP government, the arrears in UP is higher, though mainly because of 5 sugar companies which account for almost 70% of the same.

CIFA has opposed sugar import claiming that imports at this juncture will result in artificial depression of sugar price that may harm the domestic sugarcane production and farmers.

"It is noted with concern that almost all of these voices and suggestions are coming from people who have no relationship with or are concerned about the welfare of the sugarcane farmers of the country. In fact, some of these voices are from global traders, who are simply looking to dump sugar in India," alleged the farmers' body.

"We are unanimous in making an appeal to the Government not to import any sugar, but allow the domestic sugar production to take care of the domestic requirement and not listen to speculators and traders, who are not friends of farmers. Whatever the steps the Government takes should be in the interest of the farmers and the sugar mills so that our cane price payments are made on time and we continue to grow sugarcane for the country’s requirements," appealed CIFA.