India’s sugar production increased by 42% and stood at 23.05 million tonne (MT) in five months to February of the 2017-18 marketing year compared to production of 16.26 MT in the October-February period of last marketing year.
Mills in the top three sugar producing states Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka have manufactured 7.39 MT, 8.42 MT and 3.34 MT respectively -- during October-February period of this marketing year. 479 mills were operating till February-end, while 43 mills have shut crushing operations in the current year.
As per the data compiled by the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA), the body emphasized upon the need to export 1.5 MT in the next few months, considering that there is reportedly a larger sugar production in the current year as also expected in the next 2018-19 season.