Indonesia's white sugar output seen down in 2020, imports needed

• Household consumption of sugar in 2020, is estimated at 3.2 million tonnes, he added, up slightly from 3.1 million in 2019, when Indonesia's output of white sugar was 2.23 million.
• Late last year, an official said Indonesia planned to allow imports of 3.2 million tonnes of raw sugar for industrial use.

JAKARTA: Indonesia's white sugar output is seen between 2 million and 2.1 million tonnes this year, down about a tenth from last year on drought in previous years, an industry body said on Wednesday, and called for imports to keep prices stable.

The lower estimate could force Indonesia to import 1.4 million tonnes of raw sugar or an equivalent of 1.3 million tonnes of white sugar for household consumption, said Budi Hidayat, executive director of the Indonesia Sugar Association.

"If the additional supply is not brought in as soon as possible, sugar will be scarce, because industry and household users will compete for it," Hidayat told reporters, adding that imports were needed to keep retail prices steady.

Household consumption of sugar in 2020, is estimated at 3.2 million tonnes, he added, up slightly from 3.1 million in 2019, when Indonesia's output of white sugar was 2.23 million.

Late last year, an official said Indonesia planned to allow imports of 3.2 million tonnes of raw sugar for industrial use.