There is a notable decline in sugar production in Maharashtra compared to the previous season. As of December 21, 2023, the state has witnessed a reduction of 90.12 lakh quintals (9.01 lakh tons) in sugar production compared to the previous season.
According to figures from the Sugar Commissioner’s office, a total of 194 sugar mills have commenced crushing operations in Maharashtra for the 2023-24 season until December 21, 2023. This includes 95 cooperative and 99 private sugar mills, with a total cane crushing of 340.43 lakh tons. The state has produced approximately 293.79 lakh quintals (29.37 lakh tons) of sugar so far, with an average sugar recovery rate of 8.63 percent.
In the previous season at this time, 199 sugar mills were operational, and they had crushed 417.2 lakh tons of sugarcane, resulting in the production of 383.91 lakh quintals of sugar.
Solapur division has witnessed the initiation of crushing operations by 47 sugar mills, making it the leading division in Maharashtra. As of December 21, 2023, Solapur division has crushed 74.42 lakh tons of sugarcane, yielding 59.09 lakh quintals of sugar, with a sugar recovery rate of 7.94 percent.
Conversely, the lowest number of sugar mills starting crushing operations is observed in the Amravati division, where only 2 sugar mills have commenced crushing sessions.
