The sugarcane crushing season has gained momentum in India, although sugar production is still lower compared to the previous season. According to data released by National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Limited (NFCSF), as of December 15, 2023, crushing for the 2023-24 season has commenced in 499 sugar mills across the country, with a total of 857.04 lakh tonnes of sugarcane crushed, resulting in a production of 74.30 lakh tonnes of sugar.
In comparison, in the corresponding period of the previous year, 500 sugar mills had crushed 924.33 lakh tons of sugarcane, yielding 81.80 lakh tonnes of sugar production.
The sugar recovery rate in the country is approximately similar to the previous season. As of December 15, 2023, the average sugar recovery stands at 8.67%, whereas during the same period in the preceding season, it was 8.85%.
In the state-wise context of sugar production, Maharashtra currently leads the charts, followed by Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka.
In Maharashtra, 191 sugar mills are in operation until December 15, 2023, and they have crushed 295.83 lakh tonnes of sugarcane to produce 24.85 lakh tonnes of sugar. In Uttar Pradesh, 120 sugar mills have crushed 243.55 lakh tonnes of sugarcane to produce 22.65 lakh tonnes of sugar.
In the third-largest sugar-producing state, Karnataka, sugar production reached 17.50 lakh tonnes by crushing 210.84 lakh tonnes of sugarcane. The state is also lagging in the average sugar recovery rate. Compared to the average sugar recovery rate of 8.50 percent in the previous season, Karnataka registered an 8.30 percent sugar recovery rate until December 15, 2023.
