Little impact on Maharashtra sugar output despite widespread pest attack

Drop estimated at 0.5% to 10.1 million tonnes for ongoing crushing season 2018-19; state govt gets tough on cane arrears

Sugar production in Maharashtra is estimated to decline only by 0.5 per cent this year, despite reports of widespread white grub pest infestation in the standing cane crop in parts of drought-hit regions. 

Apex sugar trade body All India Sugar Trade Association (AISTA) on Thursday estimated sugar output in Maharashtra at 10.1 million tonnes for the ongoing crushing season 2018-19 compared to 10.7 million tonnes produced the last season. With this, Maharashtra is second top sugar producer in India, after 11.6 million tonnes estimated output in Uttar Pradesh.

Over a week ago, industry body Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) had forecast 9.5