NEW DELHI, Sept 17 (Reuters) - India may import at least 6.5 million tonnes of sugar in 2009/1O, two million more than trade forecasts as domestic output would be lower than expected, the country's top sugar producer told the Business Standard daily.
Government officials have said sugar output in the new sugar marketing year that begins next month would be 16-17 million tonnes, down from about 15 million tonnes in the current year and 26.3 million tonnes last year.
"The domestic output is expected to be 13.5-14.5 million tonnes in the next season," Kushagra Bajaj, joint managing director of Bajaj Hindusthan told the newspaper.
Even if the output is 14.5 million tonnes, India would have to import 6.5 million tonnes because it will start the season with 2 million tonnes in stocks and is expected to consume 23 million tonnes, he said.
A Reuters poll in early August had forecast India was likely to import a record 4.5 million tonnes of sugar in 2009/10.
India is expected to remain a net sugar importer for next two seasons,
Source : REUTERS