(a) According to a newspaper report published in September 2023 India, the world's biggest sugar producer after Brazil, banned mills from exporting sugar during the current season October 1, 2023. This is the first sugar export curb in seven years. New Delhi allowed mills to export only 6.1 million metric tonnes of sugar during the last season, nearly half of the country's total shipment in 2021-22. Sugar output during the next 2024-25 season is likely to fall to 32 million metric tonnes from this year's 34 million tonnes due to the adverse impact of last year's patchy rains in Maharashtra and Karnataka states, the sources said.

(i) Is the government going to continue the ban on exports? Give reasons to support your answer.

(ii) How would 'patchy rains' impact the crop?

(b) What purpose does the ban on sugar export serve?

(c) In the subsequent year (2024) there was heavy rainfall and flooding. What would be the impact of this on sugar production in 2025-26? Do you think the ban would be lifted? Why?

(d) What would be the impact of this ban on the global market? Give reasons.

(a)

(i) Yes, the government is likely to continue the ban on sugar exports aiming to stabilize domestic prices and maintain adequate supplies for domestic consumption and ethanol production, especially with potential lower production in the 2024-25 season.

(ii) Patchy rains lead to uneven water distribution, which negatively affects crop development, resulting in poor yields and lower sucrose content.

(b) The ban helps ensure enough sugar is available within the country, keeps prices stable, and supports essential uses like domestic consumption and ethanol production.

(c) Heavy rainfall and flooding damages sugarcane crop and reduces the sucrose (sugar) content in them. This can lead to lower sugar production in 2025–26. If production remains low, the government may continue the export ban to ensure enough sugar is available for domestic use and to keep prices stable. The ban is likely to be lifted only when production improves.

(d) India is the largest producer of sugarcane in the world and the second-largest exporter of sugar. Due to the ban, there is a shortage of sugar in the global market. As a result, the supply decreases while demand remains the same, leading to an increase in global sugar prices.