Large number of sugar mills have started the sugarcane crushing in Maharashtra, but the state has witnessed a lag in sugar production compared to the previous season. Pune region leads in sugar output, followed by Kolhapur division, with Solapur division securing the third position.
As per data from the Sugar Commissioner’s office, by December 18, 2023, a total of 37 sugar mills had commenced crushing operations in Kolhapur. This includes 24 cooperative and 13 private mills, collectively completing the crushing of 64.57 lakh tonnes of sugarcane. The Kolhapur region has produced 62.76 lakh quintals of sugar so far, with the current average sugar recovery rate standing at 9.72 percent, the highest among all divisions in the state. The state’s overall average sugar recovery rate is 8.54 percent.
Solapur region, having initiated crushing sessions in most mills (45), leads in the state. According to the Sugar Commissioner’s data until December 18, 2023, Solapur has crushed approximately 69.73 lakh tonnes of sugarcane, yielding 54.87 lakh quintals of sugar, with a sugar recovery rate of 7.87 percent.
In Maharashtra overall, 191 sugar mills have collectively completed the crushing of 316.48 lakh tonnes of sugarcane, producing 270.34 lakh quintals of sugar. In comparison, during the same period last season, 196 sugar mills were operational, and crished 391.73 lakh tons of sugarcane to produce 358.42 lakh quintals of sugar.
