India's sugar production rose by 47 percent to 42.25 lakh tonnes till December 15 of October-September 2014-15 marketing year, leading to a fall in ex-factory prices of the sweetener. Sugar production of India stood at 28.77 lakh tonnes in the year-ago period. The Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) has attributed the increase in sugar output to early start of crushing compared to last year.
On state wise, Maharashtra has produced 20.73 lakh tonnes of sugar so far as compared to 12.96 lakh tonnes in the year-ago period. UP has produced 7.94 lakh tonnes of sugar in the current season up to 15th December as compared to 3 lakh tonnes in the corresponding period last year.
The ISMA highlighted that ex-mill sugar prices have been continuously falling almost on a daily basis in the range of Rs 10-40 per quintal and currently stand at its lowest in the last 3 years at around Rs 500-700 per quintal below the cost of producing the sugar. Owing to low prices, sugar mills are facing huge challenges to even pay the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of Rs 220 per quintal of sugarcane linked to 9.5 percent sugar recovery. Industry body also expressed the fear that if the ex-mill sugar prices remain at this level, cane price arrears of farmers may start getting accumulated.
India is the world's second largest producer and biggest consumer of Sugar. According to ISMA, the sugar production is likely to rise to 250-255 lakh tonnes in 2014-15 marketing year as compared to 244 lakh tonnes in the previous year. Meanwhile, the annual domestic demand of sugar is pegged at 230-240 lakh tonnes.
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