Pune: Flood and drought in Maharashtra and Karnataka have impacted the sugarcane crushing season in the state. This has also led to the sugarcane scarcity, due to which many sugar mills in the country have to shut down their operations.
According to the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA), out of 449 sugar mills which had started crushing for 2019-20 SS, 23 sugar mills have stopped crushing operation due to non-availability of sugarcane. Last year, 521 sugar mills had operated, out of which 19 had stopped crushing on the same corresponding date last year.
The non-availability of labour for harvesting and less availability of sugarcane have upset the sugar mills. Also, sugar production in Maharashtra and Karnataka are down as both the states had been gripped with drought and flood.
In Maharashtra, sugar production till 15th February 2020 was 43.38 lakh tonnes, compared with 82.98 lakh tonnes produced last year same period. Out of 143 mills which operated this season, eight sugar mills have stopped their crushing. Last year 193 mills had operated i.e. 50 sugar mills remained closed in Maharashtra due to less cane this year.
In case of Karnataka, till 15th February 2020, 63 sugar mills had commenced operations and they have produced 30.80 lakh tonnes, as compared to 38.74 lakh tonnes produced by 66 sugar mills last year same period. Out of 63 sugar mills which went for crushing this season, 13 sugar mills have stopped crushing as on 15th February 2020.
To Listen to this News click on the play button.
