By Soniya:
India’s traditional sweetener jaggery, popularly known as gur, is emerging as a popular global alternative to refined sugar due to rising health awareness and demand for natural food products. India currently produces more than 70% of the world’s jaggery, making it the global leader in the sector.
Unlike refined sugar, jaggery is minimally processed and retains natural minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Health-conscious consumers increasingly prefer jaggery as a more natural sweetening option, boosting its popularity in international markets.
India’s strong sugarcane production supports this dominance, with nearly 20–30% of the country’s sugarcane output used for jaggery manufacturing instead of refined sugar production. The industry operates largely through decentralized rural units, directly supporting around 2.5 million livelihoods across farming, processing, transportation, and small-scale food businesses.
The Indian jaggery export sector has also witnessed rapid growth in recent years. Export value increased from around USD 197 million in 2015-16 to nearly USD 406.8 million in 2024-25, reflecting growing international demand.
Countries such as the United States, Indonesia, UAE, Nigeria, and Nepal are among the major importers of Indian jaggery. Experts believe the rising global shift toward organic, natural, and traditional food products could further strengthen India’s position in the global sweetener market.
The growth of the jaggery industry is also contributing to rural economic development, agro-processing expansion, and increased income opportunities for small farmers and local enterprises across India.
