India's sugar output may decline marginally this yr due to cane crop damage

Industry body ISMA to meet on Oct 29 to assess output, initial indications estimate 32 million tonnes for 2018-19 against 32.25 million tonnes previous year

India’s sugar output is likely to decline marginally this year due to the possibility of lower cane yields. The drop in output is being attributed to white grub infestation in Maharashtra and water logging in the cane fields of Uttar Pradesh.

Committee members of ISMA are scheduled to meet on November 29 to arrive at the final sugar output figure for the current season, which started in October. However, preliminary indications suggest that the apex sugar body's members would lower their sugar production forecast to around 32 million tonnes for the current crushing season from 32.25 million tonnes the previous