India’s sugar crushing season is underway with slightly lower sugar production compared to the previous season.
According to the data from the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Limited (NFCSF), as of March 15, 2024, the crushing season for the season 2023-24 is ongoing in 371 sugar mills across the country, with a total sugarcane crushed amounting to 2780.34 lakh metric tonnes (LMT), producing 279.90 lakh metric tonnes of sugar.
A total of 535 sugar mills participated in the crushing season across the country, and so far 164 mills have concluded crushing operations.
In contrast, during the same period in previous season, 534 sugar mills participated, with 235 mills closed operations. These mills had crushed 2904.01 LMT of sugarcane, resulting in 284.70 LMT of sugar production.
The sugar recovery rate in the country is higher compared to the previous season. As of March 15, 2024, the average sugar recovery rate stands at 10.07%, while the average recovery rate in the previous season was 9.80%.
Currently, Maharashtra leads in sugar production among states, followed by Uttar Pradesh. Maharashtra has produced 100.45 LMT of sugar so far, while Uttar Pradesh has produced 88.55 LMT.
In Karnataka, sugar production reached 47.50 LMT, lower than 55.60 LMT previous season during the same period.
