The sugarcane crushing season is gaining momentum in India as sugar mills in major states have started operations. According to data released by the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Limited (NFCSF), as of November 15, 2024, crushing for the 2024-25 season is underway in 144 sugar mills across the country. A total of 90.74 lakh tonnes of sugarcane has been crushed, resulting in the production of 7.10 lakh tonnes of sugar.
In comparison, during the same period in the previous season, 264 sugar mills had crushed 162.56 lakh tonnes of sugarcane, yielding 12.70 lakh tonnes of sugar.
The sugar recovery rate in the country is nearly same to that of the previous season. As of November 15, 2024, the average sugar recovery rate stands at 7.82 per cent, compared to 7.81 per cent during the same period in the previous season.
In terms of state-wise sugar production, mills in Maharashtra have not yet started crushing operations, though many are expected to begin the season on November 15, 2024.
Uttar Pradesh currently leads with 85 sugar mills in operation, followed by Karnataka and other states.
In Uttar Pradesh, 85 sugar mills have crushed 48.41 lakh tonnes of sugarcane, producing 3.80 lakh tonnes of sugar. In Karnataka, the third-largest sugar-producing state, sugar production reached 2.10 lakh tonnes after crushing 26.25 lakh tonnes of sugarcane.
According to the NFCSF, sugar production for the 2024-25 season is estimated to reach 280 lakh tonnes.
