Rajshree Sugars may import 80,000 tns raws in 2009/10

MUMBAI, July 3 (Reuters) - Rajshree Sugars & Chemicals Ltd (RJSG.BO: Quote, Profile, Research) is looking at importing 80,000 tonnes raw sugar in the crushing season ending September 2010 in anticipation of sugar deficit in the country, a senior official said.

"We will have a sugar deficit of 5 million tonnes. So, there is a need," Chief Operating Officer R. Varadarajan told Reuters over telephone.

India's sugar output in 2009/10 is seen at 17.5-18.5 million tonnes, lower than the previously estimated 20 million tonnes, on delay in progress of monsoon. See [ID:nBOM514435]

Domestic demand is pegged at 22.5 million tonnes. India, the biggest consumer in the world, turned into net importer of sugar in 2008/09 due to a sharp drop in output. (Reporting by Swati Pandey; Editing by Prem Udayabhanu)