Disclosed are genetically engineered microbial cells for the production of a carbohydrate of interest, wherein the microbial cells possess an increased intracellular availability of at least one sugar phosphate, and produce the carbohydrate of interest when being cultivated in a culture medium containing a mixed monosaccharide feedstock as main carbon and energy source. Also disclosed is a fermentative method of producing a carbohydrate of interest by cultivating said genetically engineered microbial cell in the presence of a mixed monosaccharide feedstock as main carbon and energy source.
