Indian sugar mills have produced 142.53 lakh tonne (LT) sugar as on January 31, 2016, higher by 6.23 LT or 4.57% as compared to 136.30 LT sugar produced on same date last year, as per data compiled by Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA). 510 sugar mills have started crushing operations as compared to 517 sugar mills in 2014-15 SS till January 31, 2015. 13 sugar mills in Maharashtra and 1 sugar mill each in Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh have closed their crushing operations for the season.
In Uttar Pradesh, 116 sugar mills have produced 36.15 LT of sugar as compared to 33.75 LT produced by 117 sugar mills as on January 31, 2015. In Maharashtra, 177 sugar mills operated during the current 2015-16 SS, of which 13 sugar mills have closed their crushing operations by January 31, 2016. Sugar production during the current season up to January 31, was 54.42 LT, as compared to 54.37 LT produced in 2014-15 SS till January 31, 2015. As on date, 164 sugar mills are under operation in the state as compared to 176 mills operated last year on corresponding date.
Besides, in case of Karnataka, 64 sugar mills have produced 26.89 LT of sugar in 2015-16 SS (one sugar mill has stopped crushing as on January 31, 2016 as compared to 23.13 LT produced by 63 sugar mills in 2014-15 SS as on January 31, 2015.