Sugar stocks higher in North India

As the sugar season in some of the western and southern states like Maharashtra, Karnataka is coming to an early end, the Indian Sugar Mills Association (Isma) said on Thursday, “Sugar stocks in the mills of north India, especially in Uttar Pradesh (UP), are higher because of good production compared to last year.” 

Considering that 156 mills are still operating (crushing) in the northern part and are likely to continue till April, it is expected, a higher quantity of sugar will be produced from this region than the drought-affected states in the west and south. 

This will boost total stocks. Isma refused to furnish data of inventories but, said stock was notably low in the western and southern mills.

According to Isma, a total of 107 mills are continuing their operations in UP.

Till end of February, mills have produced 6.24 million tonnes of sugar, 17 per cent higher in comparison to last year’s production of 5.35 mt. 

This year UP has emerged as the top sugar producing state in the country.  Maharashtra, with its 17 mills in operation of the 153, may end at a distant second. In Karnataka, only one sugar mill is functional.  The state had produced 2.50 mt compared to 3.61 mt last year.