Dextrose Supply-Demand Dynamics in the Indian Market: A Look

Dextrose, also known as glucose, is a simple sugar that is commonly used as a sweetener and a source of energy

- Vijayendran M

It is produced from maize starch by using a method called hydrolysis. Food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and other sectors such as chemicals consume dextrose in India. In this, the pharmaceutical sector consumes the most dextrose, followed by the food and beverage sector and others. The dextrose market in India has been steadily growing in recent years due to an increase in demand in the food and non-food sectors.

DEXTROSE PRODUCTION SCENARIO? 

Corn Wet Millers (CWMs) are companies that process corn through a wet milling process to produce various products such as starch, sweeteners, ethanol, and animal feed. Secondary converters (SCs) are companies that procure native starch from CWMs and convert it to modified starch, sweeteners, or other products. In India, dextrose manufacture is limited to CWMs. Due to large costs, technology, and stringent emission restrictions, SCs are not currently being produced. The primary raw material used for dextrose production by producers in India is corn starch and the industry has developed a robust supply chain to ensure a consistent supply of high-quality corn starch for its production. In addition to corn starch, some manufacturers in India also use other raw materials such as cassava starch and potato starch to produce dextrose. However, corn starch is the most commonly used raw material due to its availability and cost-effectiveness.

KEY PLAYERS IN THE INDIAN MARKET