MUMBAI, Jan 29 (Reuters) - India sugar futures may open lower on Thursday on profit-taking, and hopes government may soon allow duty-free raw sugar imports for domestic consumption as prices were climbing on lower output, analysts said.
The February futures contract NSMG9 on the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange ended at 2,068 rupees per 100 kg, down 1.24 percent in the previous session.
The contract had risen more than 9 percent this month.
Farm minister Sharad Pawar said on Jan. 13 the government may allow duty-free imports of raw sugar for domestic sales within two weeks.
Government and trade estimates suggest sugar production will fall to 18 million tonnes in 2008/09, from 26.3 million tonnes a year ago.
Source : REUTERS INDIA