ARTICLE 2

Global sugar markets have been locked in a tight trading band over the past few weeks, as international sugar prices hover around 16 to 17 cents per pound. With few immediate catalysts, traders and analysts say this range may persist — unless something shifts the balance.

New Delhi / Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) is intensifying efforts to open and expand exports of distillers’ dried grains with solubles (DDGS) to the Indian feed market. With livestock and poultry demand rising, India is viewed as a major growth opportunity for U.S. feed co‑products.

Recently, areas across several states in India have faced heavy floods following relentless rains and overflowing rivers. The government has responded by launching official damage assessment drives, particularly focusing on paddy and maize — two staple crops crucial to many farmers.

Maize Takes the Spotlight in India’s Kharif Season as Sowing Nears Finish Line New Delhi, India — As the Kharif sowing season edges closer to completion, maize has emerged as a standout performer, outperforming several other crops. Total area under Kharif crops is showing a modest uptick of about 1%, reflecting cautious optimism among farmers and officials.

Mumbai, July 23, 2025 — In a landmark shift for Maharashtra’s biofuel policy, the state government has issued an order permitting distilleries to use food grains such as maize and rice (in addition to sugarcane and molasses) for ethanol production — under a dual‑feed mechanism — for blending into petrol. The directive comes from the state home department and includes a key restriction: ethanol produced from these grains must not be diverted for liquor production.

Recently, Kurt Shultz, Senior Director of Global Strategies at the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC), visited India to generate interest among end-users in purchasing U.S. distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), a byproduct of ethanol production, which currently do not have market access in the country but could become a major source of demand for U.S. producers, according to the press release.

Bidders are required to submit ethanol supply quantities in kilolitres (KL), categorized by feedstock and specified on a quarterly basis.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick criticized India’s trade barriers, asking rhetorically: “Why won’t 1.4 billion people buy one bushel of U.S. corn?” India imposes a 15% tariff on maize imports up to 0.5 million tonnes; beyond that, a high 50% duty kicks in.

The Food Ministry has allocated a domestic sugar quota of 24 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) for October 2025, starting from October 1. This is lower than the 25.5 LMT quota allocated for October 2024, though higher than September 2025’s quota of 23.5 LMT. Market watchers expect firm demand (especially with upcoming festivals) and foresee a price rise of ₹40‑50 per quintal in many regions.

New Delhi, September 25, 2025 – The Indian Sugar & Bio‑Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) has formally appealed to the central government to increase the Minimum Selling Price (MSP) of sugar to ₹40.2 per kilogram for the 2025‑26 season, citing severe cost pressures and the widening gap between production costs and current sugar pricing.