In the ongoing sugar season of 2024-25, 14 mills have ended their operations as of February 5, which is seven more than the previous season during the same period, according to the Sugar Commissionerate report. These include mainly mills from the Solapur region (12 mills) and the Nanded region (2 mills).
Sugar production in Maharashtra for the ongoing 2024-25 season has reached 602.19 lakh quintals (approximately 60.21 lakh tonnes), a decline from the 717.56 lakh quintals produced during the same period last season. Currently, 186 mills are engaged in sugarcane crushing operations, while 14 mills have concluded the crushing season. As of February 5, statewide mills have crushed 660.41 lakh tonnes of sugarcane, compared to 741.13 lakh tonnes crushed during the same period last season. The state’s overall sugar recovery rate stands at 9.12%, lower than the 9.68% rate achieved during the same period last season.
According to industry experts, mills have ended operations earlier this season due to low yield and the enhancement of crushing capacity.
Sugar production in the state is down compared to the previous season due to delays in the commencement of the crushing season, diversion of sugar toward ethanol production, and a reduction in yield.
In Solapur, 45 mills were operational, including 17 cooperative mills and 28 private mills. Among them, 12 sugar mills have ended their crushing season. The mills in Solapur have processed 114.11 lakh tonnes of sugarcane, producing 90.26 lakh quintals of sugar, with a recovery rate of 7.91%.
In Nanded, 29 mills, comprising 9 cooperative and 20 private mills, have crushed 74.9 lakh tonnes of sugarcane, producing 69.92 lakh quintals of sugar, with a recovery rate of 9.34%. Two sugar mills have ended their operations in the ongoing season.
