New Delhi: India’s jaggery sector recorded strong export growth as global demand for natural sweeteners continued to rise. Government data showed that jaggery exports increased by 106.5 percent in value between 2015-16 and 2024-25.
India currently accounts for more than 70 percent of global jaggery production. Nearly 20 to 30 percent of the country’s sugarcane output goes into jaggery production. Officials said the sector supports around 2.5 million rural livelihoods through small-scale processing and cottage industries.
During 2024-25, India exported jaggery and confectionery products worth USD 406.8 million. Export volume reached 471.9 metric tonnes during the period. Major export destinations included Indonesia, the United States, the UAE, Nigeria, and Nepal.
Officials said domestic demand for natural sweeteners also increased in recent years. They added that jaggery and honey recorded annual growth of 15 to 20 percent between 2021 and 2024. Consumers increasingly preferred traditional and chemical-free sweetening products.
Jaggery sector supported by government schemes
The Union government stated that several schemes supported value addition and rural enterprises in the jaggery sector. These include Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme and the One District One Product initiative.
Officials said jaggery retained minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium because producers did not chemically refine it. They added that the product served as a healthier alternative to refined sugar. Traditional practices and Ayurveda also recognised jaggery for digestive and respiratory benefits.
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries stated that 3,528 jaggery-based micro food processing units received support under the PMFME scheme. Authorities also identified jaggery and allied products under ODOP in 19 districts to strengthen market access and rural entrepreneurship.
India has several GI-tagged jaggery varieties. These include Kolhapur jaggery from Maharashtra and Muzaffarnagar gur from Uttar Pradesh. Officials said GI recognition improved branding and promoted traditional processing methods.
