Sugar production rises by 13% in October-March period

04 Apr 2012 Evaluate

There is good news for the government and the sugar producers as the total sugar production in the country, as on 31st March (October-March period of 2011-12) stands at around 23.3 million tonnes (MT), 13% higher compared to previous year where it was 20.45 MT.

As per the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA), output in the sugar year-ending September 2012 is likely to exceed its initial projections of 26 mt. The association expects that as per current trend of sowing all over the country, sugar production in 2012-13 season will be higher than the domestic requirement and the country may continue to remain a net exporter next year, too. About 385 sugar mills continued to crush cane as on March 31, 2012 against 329 in the previous year.

There has been rise in production across the growing regions, output in Uttar Pradesh stood at 6.63 mt till end March  against 5.88 mt in same period last year, while Maharashtra produced 8.01 mt, about 8 lakh tonnes more than last year. Karnataka, the third largest producer has produced 3.5 mt, about 5 lakh tonnes more than last year.

The Government has so far permitted exports of 3 mt but with a projected output of 26 mt and domestic consumption pegged at 22 mt, ISMA is of the view that another 1.5 mt could be exported in the current year and with surplus sugar production almost certain next year, the country should carry forward the opening stock to next year as low as possible.

The industry body has further stated that the opening balance of 6.8 MT of sugar as on October 1, 2011 has burdened the sugar industry. So the next year's opening balance should not be allowed to cross the mark of 5-5.5 MT as it will put pressure on the balance sheets of the sugar mills and harm the interests of sugarcane farmers.

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