The All India Sugar Trade Association (AISTA), an organisation representing millers, cooperatives, refiners, international traders and brokers, has pitched for duty-free imports of 1-1.5 million tonnes of the commodity to avoid a possible shortage in the current sugar season.

AISTA representatives discussed the issue with Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan here on Thursday. “The Minister did not say yes or no, but assured us that he will look into our proposal,” said AISTA Chairman Praful Vithalani at a press conference to announce the new sugar traders’ body, which has RP Bhagria , former Chief Director (Sugar), Government of India, as its CEO.

According to AISTA’s projections, in the absence of timely imports, domestic availability of sugar is likely to sink to less than 3 million tonnes, the lowest in 10 years.

AISTA, which has about 28 members at present, estimates sugar production at 20 million tonnes in the ongoing season, and pegs consumption at 24.8 million tonnes.

Interestingly, sugar production estimates made by the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) — the powerful lobby of sugar millers — are higher than AISTA’s, while its consumption estimate is lower. ISMA has said there is no need to import sugar yet.

Last week, Paswan had termed ISMA’s “frequent downward revision” of production estimates for 2016-17 as “misleading”, adding that India has enough stocks and imports are not required. He pointed out to reporters that ISMA had trimmed production forecast to 20.3 million tonnes for 2016-17, down from a previous projection of 21.3 million tonnes two months ago, and down from a September 2016 forecast of 23.4 million tonnes.

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