India dominates the global jaggery market, accounting for more than 70% of the world's jaggery production, making it the leading producer of this natural sweetener.
Around 20–30% of India's sugarcane production is used for making jaggery, supporting the livelihoods of approximately 2.5 million rural people. The sector has also witnessed impressive export growth.
According to a Press Information Bureau (PIB) report, the value of India's jaggery exports increased by 106.5% between 2015–16 and 2024–25, reflecting strong international demand.
A Healthy Alternative to Refined Sugar
Jaggery is rich in:
- Iron
- Minerals
- Essential micronutrients
Unlike refined sugar, jaggery is considered a healthier and more nutritious sweetener.
To promote the sector, the Government of India has launched several initiatives, including:
- Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY)
- PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme
- One District One Product (ODOP)
These initiatives, along with Geographical Indication (GI) tagging, help:
- Add value to products,
- Strengthen rural enterprises,
- Improve export competitiveness.
Sugarcane Production and Major Producing States
India's jaggery industry depends on abundant sugarcane production.
For 2024–25, India's sugarcane production is estimated at 444.9 million tonnes.
Major producing states include:
State
Share of Production
Uttar Pradesh
48.5%
Maharashtra
24.1%
Karnataka
10.5%
Other important sugarcane-producing states are:
- Gujarat
- Tamil Nadu
- Bihar
- Uttarakhand
- Punjab
- Madhya Pradesh
- Haryana
India is also one of the world's leading exporters of jaggery and traditional sugar confectionery.
Chemical-Free Natural Sweetener
Jaggery is an unrefined traditional sweetener produced by boiling sugarcane juice without using chemicals.
Because of its nutritional value, it is often referred to as "medicinal sugar."
Nutritionally, jaggery is considered comparable to honey in many respects.
It is widely consumed across:
- Asia
- Africa
- Latin America
- Caribbean countries
Growing consumer preference for natural, minimally processed, and chemical-free foods has significantly increased its popularity worldwide.
GI-Tagged Varieties of Jaggery
A Geographical Indication (GI) identifies products that originate from a particular region and possess unique qualities because of that origin.
GI recognition:
- Promotes regional branding.
- Protects traditional production methods.
- Improves market access for rural producers.
Some famous GI-tagged Indian jaggery varieties include:
Kolhapur Jaggery (Maharashtra)
- Golden colour
- High sucrose content
- Premium quality
Muzaffarnagar Jaggery (Uttar Pradesh)
- Export-oriented
- Produced from high-quality sugarcane
Marayoor Jaggery (Kerala)
- High purity
- Traditional processing
- Medicinal qualities
Central Travancore Jaggery (Kerala)
- Known for purity
- Traditional manufacturing methods
- Distinct regional characteristics
Rapid Growth in Jaggery Exports
2015–16
- Quantity exported: 292.8 thousand tonnes
- Export value: US$197 million
2024–25
- Quantity exported: 471.9 thousand tonnes
- Export value: US$406.8 million
Growth during the period:
- Export value: +106.5%
- Export quantity: +61.2%
Major export destinations (2024–25)
- Indonesia
- United States
- United Arab Emirates
- Nigeria
- Nepal
Strong Year-on-Year Growth (April–January 2025–26)
During April–January 2025–26:
- Exports reached 450.1 thousand tonnes.
- Export value stood at US$384.4 million.
Compared with the same period in 2024–25:
- Export quantity increased by 16.5%.
- Export value increased by 15.9%.
In the corresponding period of 2024–25:
- Quantity exported: 386.2 thousand tonnes
- Export value: US$331.4 million
Growing Domestic Demand
Demand for natural sweeteners is also rising within India.
Between 2021 and 2024, the market for jaggery and honey recorded a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15–20%.
By August 2024, annual domestic jaggery sales had reached approximately 5,000 thousand tonnes (5 million tonnes).
This growth reflects increasing consumer preference for:
- Natural sweeteners,
- Traditional foods,
- Minimally processed products,
- Healthier alternatives to refined sugar.
