Sugarcane

The panel will review sugarcane farmers' returns, the minimum selling price of sugar, recovery testing and deductions in mechanically harvested cane

The Centre on Monday decided to set up a high-level joint committee within a week to address the grievances of sugarcane farmers from Maharashtra and Karnataka, after nearly three hours of talks between two Union ministers and representatives of farmer bodies in the national capital. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Food Minister Pralhad Joshi held detailed discussions at the Pusa campus with a delegation of farmers from the two major sugarcane-growing states. About 80-90 farmers from different organisations attended, along with state ministers. With sugar mills set to begin crushing in the 2026-27 season, which started on October 1, farmers have sought a higher support price, citing rising production costs. They have also demanded that the minimum selling price (MSP) of sugar be raised from Rs 31 per kg to Rs 50 per kg. In a statement issued after the meeting, Chouhan said the discussions covered ground-level issues, including discrepancies in recovery figures .

Uttar Pradesh is attracting over ₹1,000 crore in private investment from distillers, while rising ethanol output and excise exports are strengthening the state's sugarcane value chain

Australia has sought clarification from India, alleging that its support for sugarcane exceeded the 10 per cent WTO limit in each of the seven years from 2018-19 to 2024-25

Sugar prices remained above Rs 60 per kg in most retail markets across the country on Sunday, despite several steps taken by the government to check the price rise, according to official data. The Consumer Affairs Ministry data showed that the all-India average retail price of sugar was Rs 64.24 per kg on Sunday, up 1.77 per cent from Rs 63.12 per kg a week earlier. The current price is 30 per cent higher than a month ago and 38.63 per cent higher than the same period last year. The maximum retail price recorded was Rs 74 per kg, while the minimum was Rs 40 per kg, as on August 30. City-wise, retail sugar was selling at Rs 62 per kg in Delhi, Rs 66 per kg in Mumbai, Rs 63 per kg in Chennai and Rs 68 per kg in Ranchi. Wholesale prices also stayed firm at Rs 59.73 per kg, up 31 per cent month-on-month and 38.63 per cent year-on-year. price was Rs 58.66 per kg a week ago. The elevated retail and wholesale prices come even as ex-mill rates have declined nearly 20 per cent following the

The government says stocks are sufficient to meet domestic demand until the new crushing season begins in October, but the sharp price rise shows how sensitive the market has become

Govt's sugar import order sparks debate over ethanol diversion and exports amid a perceived supply shortage

Sugar prices have skyrocketed in the market amid declining sugarcane production and increased stockpiling by traders, according to experts who attributed the sharp rise to multiple factors but ruled out diversion of sugar towards ethanol production as the main reason. Opposition parties have been targeting the Centre over increased ethanol blending in petrol, alleging that the policy was pushing up sugar prices and imposing an additional financial burden on people. The government has rejected the claims and instead blamed the industry for jacking up prices despite the country having sufficient stock to meet domestic demand. The rate of loose sugar in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, has risen to Rs 75-80 per kg, a supermarket owner said on Sunday. Experts attributed the sharp rise to multiple factors but ruled out diversion of sugar towards ethanol production as the main reason. Former Maharashtra Sugar Commissioner Shekhar Gaikwad said sugarcane production and yields are .

Mills diverted about 3 million metric tonnes of sugar, or around 10 per cent of total output, to ethanol production during the current year ending in September

Brazil avoided it, but India seems to be rushing through the ethanol transition at consumers' expense viewpoint

The Centre’s proposed changes to the Sugarcane Control Order have sparked concern among farmers and small jaggery makers in western Uttar Pradesh.

According to the state government, sugarcane farmers have received payments of about ₹3.27 trillion between 2017 and 2026

Farmer organisations and political leaders have welcomed the Centre's decision to withdraw proposed amendments to the Sugarcane Control Order, saying it would protect growers and small processors

The amendments were floated last month and were open for public comments till May 20

A section of farmers feel the proposed provisions could hurt cane growers and small khandsari units. Sanjeeb Mukherjee reports

Uttar Pradesh's ethanol output rose 23 per cent in 2024-25, supporting India's biofuel push and strengthening the state's farm economy

Proposed changes to Sugarcane Control Order, including stricter norms for mills and khandsari units, raise concerns over increased regulatory oversight and potential 'Inspector Raj' in the sector

ISMA said the FRP hike is a progressive, farmer-friendly step reflecting the government's continued commitment to strengthening farmer welfare and boosting rural prosperity

Cabinet clears ₹365/qtl sugarcane FRP, ₹5,659 crore cotton mission

Draft retains minimum distance criteria between mills at 25 km, mandates khandsari units to pay Centre-fixed Fair and Remunerative Price to cane growers