India's fabled sweet tooth begins to fade

India is slowing, with domestic consumption expected to increase only marginally to around 28.5 million tonnes in 2025-26 from 28.1 million tonnes in 2024-25.

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Diabetes is forcing a pivot away from the sweetener. ISTOCKPHOTO

(ISTOCKPHOTO)

This subdued growth reflects changing dietary preferences, rising health consciousness, and increasing substitution towards alternative sweeteners and processed foods with lower sugar intensity,” said Deepak Ballani, director general, ISMA. The estimate for FY26 is sharply below the FY24 consumption of 29 mt.The development assumes significance for the nation with the world’s second-highest diabetes burden of 100 million after China, and another 136 million in the pre-diabetes stage. A high sugar intake is associated with type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity and other metabolic health risks.