Sugar output in India for the 2022-23 season (October-September) is likely to be lower by 7% to 33.5 million tonnes (MT) compared to the last year’s 35.9 MT as the sugarcane yield remains lower in Maharashtra and Karnataka, reports Financial Express.
The unseasonal rains during October last year have affected the cane yield in both states.
Sugarcane production in Maharashtra has been cut by 9|% to 12.5 MT and that of Karnataka has been cut by 14% to 5.5 MT as against the preceding year.
Sugar production in Uttar Pradesh is likely to be around 10 MT, the same as last year.
Prakash Naiknavare, managing director of the National Sugar Federation (NSF) said, “The lower sugar output will not lead to a spike in domestic prices this year as the demand for sugar is around 27 MT per year.”
As per the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA), the sugar production is estimated to be around 34 MT for the 2022-23 season, apart from the 4.5 MT to be diverted toward ethanol production.
Earlier ISMA had estimated the sugar production at 36.5 MT.
