Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Jaggery, commonly known as gur, is a traditional, unrefined, natural sweetener. It is produced by concentrating sugarcane juice without the use of chemicals. Often called ‘medicinal sugar’, it is nutritionally comparable to honey. It is valued for its natural origin, traditional processing methods, and growing consumer preference for chemical-free sweeteners.
India accounts for over 70 per cent of global jaggery production. This makes it the world’s largest jaggery producer. Nearly 20-30 per cent of the country’s sugarcane production is used for jaggery production. It is one of the major agro-processing industries in rural India. The sector is marked by decentralised processing, low transport costs, small-scale entrepreneurship and cottage industries. It supports approximately 2.5 million livelihoods.
India’s jaggery sector is supported by substantial sugarcane production. The country is one of the leading exporters of jaggery and confectionery products (including traditional Indian sweets and candies). In 2015-16, exports stood at $197 million with a volume of 292.8 MT. By 2024-25, they had increased to $406.8 million with a volume of 471.9 MT.
Domestic demand for natural sweeteners has also increased. In the sweetener segment, jaggery and honey have recorded a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15–20 per cent during 2021-24.
Nutrition, public health
Jaggery is increasingly recognised as a superfood, a natural, nutrient-rich alternative to refined sugar. Jaggery is produced from concentrated sugarcane juice without chemical refining. It, therefore, retains essential minerals and micronutrients that are typically lost during the sugar-refining process.
In India, sugarcane is processed into jaggery, khandsari, and sugar through distinct production methods. Jaggery is the most naturally processed of the three, and nutritionally the richest. Jaggery is widely used in a range of traditional foods and in liquid form. Its demand is steadily increasing, driven by growing health consciousness and a consumer shift towards natural sweeteners.
Besides its traditional use, jaggery is increasingly recognised as a healthier sweetener in processed foods such as bakery and confectionery products. Jaggery retains most of the nutrients present in sugarcane juice, making it one of the most nutritionally rich natural sweeteners.
Jaggery also contains trace amounts of vitamins, including folic acid and B-complex vitamins, as well as vitamins A, C, D, and E. These micronutrients make jaggery an energy-rich food that can help address deficiencies in these nutrients. Its mineral salt content is significantly higher than that of refined sugar.
Health benefits
Jaggery provides sustained energy because its complex sucrose is digested slowly. It, therefore, releases energy gradually rather than causing rapid spikes in blood glucose. Iron gets absorbed during preparation in traditional iron vessels, making it beneficial to address anaemia. The presence of mineral salts and micronutrients supports overall health and strengthen immunity.
In traditional practices, like Ayurveda, jaggery has long been utilised as a therapeutic sweetener. Ayurvedic medicine considers it beneficial in treating throat and lung infections and supporting digestion. Its cleansing properties aid in detoxifying the respiratory tract and gastrointestinal system.
Furthermore, jaggery is regarded as a natural detoxifying agent that supports blood purification. It is also believed to reduce fatigue, promote muscular and neural relaxation, and help maintain blood pressure. The presence of essential minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and zinc supports bone health. Its anti-toxic and potential anti-carcinogenic properties contribute to overall physiological wellbeing.
Rural development
Jaggery production in India forms part of the unorganised agro-processing sector. It plays a significant role in supporting rural livelihoods and local economies. As a leading producer and exporter, the sector sustains farmers while catering to both domestic consumption and growing export demand.
As consumer preferences evolve and global demand rises, it has become necessary to diversify along the sugarcane value chain. This is needed to enhance farm incomes and ensure environmentally and economically sustainable production systems. Value addition through jaggery production offers substantially higher returns than selling raw sugarcane to mills.
Jaggery processing contributes to rural development by fostering entrepreneurship, generating local employment, and strengthening regional economies. It generates year-round employment opportunities and supports migrant labour engagement. The production of high-quality jaggery enables access to premium markets, augmenting farmer incomes.
Strengthening jaggery-based cottage industry, thus, represents a viable pathway for promoting value addition, livelihood enhancement, and inclusive agricultural growth.
Though production is seasonal, market demand for jaggery remains consistent throughout the year, ensuring steady income opportunities. Building on this success, diversified products like jaggery flavoured chocolate and coconut, are further expanding market reach. Backed by Central Government support, the enterprise highlights how small-scale processing can enhance incomes, promote rural entrepreneurship, and strengthen agro-based livelihoods.
India’s policy push
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries promotes infrastructure development and enterprise growth for the food processing sector through several central sector schemes. These include: Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY), Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI), and Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme.
These demand-driven initiatives are implemented nationwide. They facilitate the establishment and expansion of processing units by adopting modern technologies. Beneficiary units are required to comply with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations. They are also encouraged to align with international food safety standards to improve export competitiveness.
As a leading producer and exporter, the jiggery sector sustains farmers while catering to both domestic consumption and growing export demand