The production of sugar has inched up marginally by 0.4% till December 31, 2016 and stood at 80.90 lakh tonnes (LT) compared to last season’s production for the corresponding period. According to the data compiled by industry body Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA), a total of 462 sugar mills in the country were operational till December end which produced 80.90 LT while, in 2015-16 SS, there were 481 sugar mills in operation on December 31, 2015 and they had produced 80.56 LT of sugar till that date.
In Maharashtra, 147 sugar mills commenced crushing operations. 25 of the mills have stopped crushing and these mills were mostly in the drought affected areas of Marathwada, Sholapur and Ahmednagar. As on December 31, 2016, 25.25 LT of sugar have been produced in the state as against 33.70 LT produced during the corresponding period last season when 169 mills were running.
Sugar production this year in UP is higher by 52% as compared to last year same time. The state of Uttar Pradesh, have produced 27.40 LT of sugar as on December 31, 2016, whereby 116 sugar mills were in operation and have crushed 278 LT of sugarcane. In 2015-16 SS, 113 sugar mills were in operation on December 31, 2015 and they crushed around 178 LT of cane to produce 17.97 LT of sugar.