China is likely to import less sugar this year as higher inventories in the domestic market and weak prices in the international market may make the prospects less sweet for importers, industry sources said.

Sugar imports this year are expected to be around 2.2 million metric tons, nearly half the quantity that was imported in 2013, said a forecast issued by the Beijing-based China Sugar Association on Monday.

Jia Zhiren, executive vice-president of the association, said demand for sugar has gone up in China due to rising income and rapid urbanization. China's limited sugar output is insufficient to meet demand, and the country has had to depend on imports.