Archive · 2 Jan 2026
India's Sugar Consumption Growth Slows Post-Pandemic
India used to eat a lot more sugar every year, but after the COVID-19 pandemic, the increase slowed down.
Now, people are starting to use other sweeteners like stevia instead of sugar.
Experts think that by 2025-26, India might stop increasing its sugar use and might even start using less.
This is a big change because India has always been known for its love of sweets.
India's sugar consumption growth slowed from 4.1% pre-pandemic to 2.1% post-pandemic.
Sugar demand has stagnated, indicating a potential plateau.
Projected sugar consumption is around 28.5 million tonnes for 2025-26.
Consumers are shifting to alternatives like stevia.
The National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Ltd represents cooperative sugar mills across India.
- Who
- Prakash P. Naiknavare, Managing Director of the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Ltd
- What
- Slowdown in sugar consumption growth in India post-pandemic
- When
- Projected decline in sugar consumption after 2025-26
- Where
- India
- Why
- Shift to alternatives like stevia and stagnation in demand
- Annual Growth Rate (Pre-Pandemic)
- 4.1%
- Annual Growth Rate (Post-Pandemic)
- 2.1%
- Projected Sugar Consumption (2025-26)
- 28.5 million tonnes
- Alternative Sweetener
- Stevia
- Organization
- National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Ltd