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 January 15, 2024, crushing for the 2023-24 season is ongoing in 511 sugar mills across the country, with a total of 1563.00 lakh tonnes of sugarcane crushed, resulting in a production of 148.70 lakh tonnes of sugar.
In comparison, in the corresponding period of the previous year, 519 sugar mills had crushed 1681.49 lakh tonnes of sugarcane, yielding 160.00 lakh tonnes of sugar production.
The sugar recovery rate in the country is approximately similar to the previous season. As of January 15, 2024, the average sugar recovery stands at 9.51%, whereas during the same period in the preceding season, it was 9.52%.
In the state-wise context of sugar production, Maharashtra currently leads the charts, followed by Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka.
In Maharashtra, 197 sugar mills are in operation until January 15, 2024, and they have crushed 548.39 lakh tonnes of sugarcane to produce 51.00 lakh tonnes of sugar. In Uttar Pradesh, 120 sugar mills have crushed 465.66 lakh tonnes of sugarcane to produce 46.10 lakh tonnes of sugar.
In the third-largest sugar-producing state, Karnataka, sugar production reached 31.00 lakh tonnes by crushing 322.92 lakh tonnes of sugarcane. The state is also lagging in the average sugar recovery rate. Compared to the average sugar recovery rate of 10.00 percent in the previous season, Karnataka registered an 9.60 percent sugar recovery rate until January 15, 2024.
