Sugar production may be revised lower despite initial optimistic trend

Maharashtra may produce significantly lower quantities of the commodity this year due to drastically lower rainfall and white grub infestation

Sugar production in India during the 2018-19 season that begun in October has risen by 6.8 per cent to reach 11.05 million tonnes. Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) said in a release that higher production is attributed to the fact that Maharashtra and Karnataka sugar mills started crushing operations earlier this year. However, due to substantially lower rainfall and white grub infestation, Maharashtra is likely to produce significantly lower quantities of the commodity this year as compared to the last. "Overall, the country is expected to produce much less sugar this season as compared to last,” ISMA said.

ISMA has