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India’s total alcoholic beverage sector is the world’s third largest, with yearly sales of $44 billion according to Euromonitor. Despite India’s high import tariff structure, lack of uniformity in state excise rates, state specific regulations, and limited opportunities for the marketing of alcoholic beverages, the sector continues to witness significant growth that is set to expand to $55 billion by 2027.

India continues its rapid economic growth journey in 2024 as the fifth largest economy in the world. It is projected to surpass Japan to become the third largest economy by 2030.

FAS New Delhi expects India’s ethanol production for 2024 to reach 6.35 billion liters (BL), less than a 1 percent change down from last year due to projected decline in sugarcane production and depleting rice grain storage.

India’s annual import of logs, lumber, and wood products has increased from $630 million to $2.3 billion over the past two decades, with U.S. market share reaching a record high $84 million in 2023.

On April 15, 2024, the Indian Metrological Department (IMD) predicted above normal 2024 monsoon rains. FAS New Delhi (Post) market year (MY) 2024/2025 (April-March) wheat production is forecast at a record 114 million metric tons (MMT), same as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) official forecast, on higher than initially expected yields in the northern Indian states due to favorable weather through the harvest.

On April 4, 2024, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) published on its website, Order F. No. TIC-B02/2/2022-IMPORTS-FSSAI. The FSSAI order extends the effective implementation date for the mandatory registration of foreign food manufacturing facilities (FFMF) for the import of certain categories of foods such as milk and milk products; meat and meat products including poultry, fish, and their products; egg powder; infant food; and nutraceuticals to India.

On April 15, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted a 31 percent chance of an above normal 2024 southwest monsoon. IMD will issue a end of May forecast for the Monsoon Core Zone (MCZ), which represents most rainfed agriculture regions in the country and is the critical forecast related to agricultural planning, planting, and production.

FAS India forecasts marketing year (MY) 2024/25 coffee production (Oct/Sep) at 6 million 60-kilogram bags. Deficit pre-monsoon rains (Mar/May) are expected to negatively impact yields, as fruit setting drops significantly in major growing regions.

India’s centrifugal sugar production in marketing year (MY) 2024/2025 (October-September) is forecast to reach 34.5 million metric tons (MMT), equivalent to 33 MMT of crystal white sugar.

India’s oilseeds production in marketing year (MY) 2024/25 (October-September) is forecast to reach 41.9 million metric tons (MMT), a marginal drop from MY2023/2024 estimate of 42.7 MMT due weaker prices for Indian producers, limited agricultural input availability, and weather trends.

This GAIN-INDIA report is an addendum to FAS India's (New Delhi, Mumbai) (Post) GAIN-INDIA | IN2024-0012 | India’s Wine Product Labeling Requirements – Update 2024. Post sought out additional regulatory review, and has obtained a revised confirmation from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) that its Food Safety and Standards (Labeling and Display) Regulations now do not require an expiry date for wine products.

FAS Mumbai estimates marketing year (MY) 2024/25 India cotton production at 25.4 million 480 lb. bales on 12.4 million hectares area planted, a two percent decrease from the previous year due to the expectation that farmers will shift cotton acreage to higher return crops such as pulses, maize, and paddy.