Sugar output declines 29% in first quarter

Sugar output declined 29 per cent in the first three months of the current sugar year (October–September), thanks to a delay in crushing activities in sugar mills across the country.

The Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) said total sugar production stood at 5.74 million tonnes (mt) in the first quarter of the current season, as compared to 8.03 mt in the corresponding period last year. Sugar mills have stepped up crushing operations, narrowing down the deficit in the current season’s output. By December 15, the production deficit was reported at 50 per cent.

Sugar mills across the country started operations towards the last week of November, more than two weeks late from the normal crushing season due to the rift between the government and the mill owners over cane prices for the current year.

However, sugarcane crushing picked up pace towards the end of December after 476 mills started operations, though this is 23 less than last year’s figure, said ISMA.

In terms of number of sugar mills, Maharashtra topped the list with 154 sugar mills processing about 21.7 mt of sugarcane so far this year. Last year, 161 mills in the state processed about 27.8 mt of sugarcane. Sugar output in the state recorded at 2.21 mt this year as against 2.91 mt in the corresponding period last year.

Sugar output in Uttar Pradesh stood at 1.13 mt with 119 mills remaining operational. Total of about 12.88 mt of sugarcane has been crushed with 8.75 per cent recovery. There is a 42 per cent dip in the sugar production this year. However, 122 sugar mills were operational last year.

Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh reported 0.12 mt and 0.25 mt of sugar output respectively this year so far.

ISMA predicted this year’s sugar production to be at 25 mt, almost similar to the last year’s.