As the crushing operations crossed mid-season, 77 sugar mills have closed, according to a report released by the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Limited (NFCSF) on February 15.
In Karnataka, 34 sugar mills have ended operations; Maharashtra, 30 mills; Tamil Nadu, 4 mills; Uttar Pradesh, 2 mills; Telangana, 2 mills; Uttarakhand, 2 mills; Madhya Pradesh, 1 mill; Haryana, 1 mill; and Gujarat, 1 mill.
According to NFCSF, as of February 15, 2025, crushing for the 2024-25 season is ongoing in 454 sugar mills across the country. A total of 2175.16 lakh tonnes of sugarcane has been crushed, resulting in the production of 197.65 lakh tonnes of sugar. In comparison, during the same period last season, 505 sugar mills were in operations and crushed 2277.37 lakh tonnes of sugarcane, yielding 224.75 lakh tonnes of sugar.
The sugar recovery rate in the country is lower than in the previous season. As of February 15, 2025, the average sugar recovery rate (excluding diversion for ethanol) stands at 9.09%, compared to 9.87% during the same period last season.
In terms of state-wise sugar production, 170 mills are operational in Maharashtra and have produced 68.10 lakh tonnes of sugar by crushing 740.22 lakh tonnes of sugarcane.
In Uttar Pradesh, more sugar mills have commenced crushing operations this season. A total of 121 sugar mills have crushed 680.11 lakh tonnes of sugarcane, yielding 63.25 lakh tonnes of sugar. Currently, 119 mills are operational.
In Karnataka, the third-largest sugar-producing state, five more sugar mills have participated in operation compared to the previous season. Currently, 45 sugar mills are operational out of 79 mills engaged in the ongoing season. Sugar production in the state has reached 37.20 lakh tonnes after crushing 437.65 lakh tonnes of sugarcane.
According to industry experts, mills have ended operations earlier this season due to low yield and the enhancement of crushing capacity.
As per NFCSF, sugar production for the 2024-25 season is estimated to reach 270 lakh tonnes. In the previous season, sugar production was 319 lakh tonnes.
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