Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:30pm on 22 Aug 2026,Saturday Business
India is set to import sugar for the first time in more than a decade as tighter domestic supplies raise concerns over availability. The move comes as more sugarcane is being diverted to ethanol production under India’s E20 fuel programme, which aims to blend 20% ethanol with petrol. Lower sugar output and changing production priorities have added pressure to domestic stocks. The government is considering imports to stabilise supplies and control prices. While the E20 policy supports cleaner fuel and reduces oil imports, the sugar shortage has sparked debate over balancing food security with India’s growing ethanol needs. (PC: Reuters)
