India’s rice export ban sparks concern on sugar

Climate worries: A worker cuts sugarcane in Maharashtra, one of the main producing regions in India. The area received less rain this June than it did last year. — Reuters

New Delhi: After India banned some rice exports to control domestic prices, traders are worried another food staple could be vulnerable: sugar.

The world has become increasingly dependent on sugar exports from the South Asian nation as global supplies tighten. Uneven rainfall across India’s agricultural belts has stoked concern that sugar production will fall short, potentially dropping for a second straight year in the season starting October.