The government has allocated 15.60 lakh tonnes of sugar for sale in the open market and distribution through ration shops for the month of March.

An official statement says, out of total quota released for March, the Food Ministry has earmarked 13.50 lakh tonnes non-levy sugar for sale in the open market and the remaining 2.10 lakh tonnes levy sugar would be for ration shops.

AIR correspondent reports, sugar production in the country, the world's second largest is expected to be 24.5 million tonnes in the 2011-12 season higher than the annual demand of 21.5 million tonnes.