Maharashtra faces 6 lakh tonnes dip in sugar production so far compared to previous Season

The Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana’s protest demanding an increase in sugarcane prices came to an end on Thursday evening after sugar mills agreed to pay more than the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for cane purchased in the previous season. With this resolution, sugarcane crushing is anticipated to gain momentum, particularly in the Kolhapur, Sangli, and Satara districts of Maharashtra. However, figures released by the Sugar Commissioner’s office until November 22, 2023, shows decrease of 6 lakh tonnes in sugar production compared to the previous season, attributed to deficient rainfall in the state.

As of November 22, 154 sugar mills have initiated crushing operations in the state, including 76 cooperative and 78 private mills. In the same period last year, 183 mills had commenced operations, comprising 91 cooperative and 92 private mills. These mills had crushed 166 lakh tonnes of sugarcane, producing 14 lakh tonnes of sugar. In contrast, this year, 154 mills have crushed 105.63 lakh tonnes of sugarcane, producing 8.43 lakh tonnes of sugar.

In the Kolhapur region, 22 sugar mills (14 cooperative and 8 private) are operational, and they crushed 14.13 lakh tonnes of sugarcane and produced 11.65 lakh quintals of sugar. The average recovery rate is 8.24%. In the Pune division, 22 mills (15 cooperative and 7 private) have crushed 22.66 lakh tonnes of sugarcane, producing 18.48 lakh quintals of sugar with an average recovery rate of 8.16%. Solapur district has the highest number of 38 mills (13 cooperative and 25 private) in operation, and crushed 24.3 lakh tonnes of sugarcane and produced 17.74 lakh quintals of sugar. However, the average recovery rate is 7.3%.

In the Ahmednagar region, 21 sugar mills (12 cooperative and 9 private) have commenced operations. They have crushed 15.53 lakh tonnes of sugarcane, producing 11.64 lakh quintals of sugar with an average recovery rate of 7.5%. Notably, Aurangabad has the lowest recovery rate in the state at 6.61%, and sugar production is 8.27 lakh quintals.

In the Nanded division, 27 mills (9 cooperative and 18 private) have started operations, crushing 15.12 lakh tonnes of sugarcane. They have produced 11.52 lakh quintals of sugar with an average recovery rate of 7.62%. The Amravati region has only 2 private mills in operation, and they crushed 1.37 lakh tonnes of sugarcane and produced 1.13 lakh quintals of sugar. Interestingly, Amravati has the highest recovery rate in the state at 8.25%. There are no operational sugar mills in the Nagpur division.

According to estimates by ‘AgriMandi Live,’ the state is expected to produce 90 lakh tonnes of sugar this season. The growth in sugarcane has been impacted by the shortage of rain, directly affecting sugar production.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted light to moderate rainfall over Konkan, Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, and Marathwada from November 23 to November 27. Anupam Kashyap, head of the weather forecasting division of IMD Pune, stated, “Due to strong easterly waves, rains are highly likely to occur over Konkan, Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, and Marathwada. Light to moderate rains may occur in these areas from November 23 to 27.” Pune, located in western Maharashtra, is expected to experience very light to moderate showers accompanied by thunder between November 24 and 27. If the region experiences intense rainfall, it may impact the harvesting.