Sugar output jumps 2.5% to 7.96 MT during October-December period

03 Jan 2013 Evaluate

As per data compiled by the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA), the sugar production in the country in the first three months of the 2012-13 sugar year stood at 7.96 million tonnes (MT), a rise of 2.5% compared to the corresponding period last year. The overall increase in output was bolstered by higher production in the states of Karnataka and Maharashtra. Across the country 496 mills have crushed 83 MT of sugarcane during October-December.

The sugar production in Maharashtra state stood at 2.90 MT about 4% more compared to last year. The early commencement of crushing season and better operational utilization has led to the higher production. About 161 sugar mills were operational till date against 167 in the corresponding period last year. Due to partial dry cane arrival to sugar mills there is a slowing pace of sugar recovery in the state which stood at 10.46%, almost the same as that of last year. In the current year ISMA has projected a sugar output of 6.5 MT in Maharashtra.

In Uttar Pradesh state, the sugar output stood at 1.92 MT a decline of 11% compared to last year since the mills started crushing in late November. The sugar recovery stood at 8.74% same as that of last year. About 121 sugar mills were operational in the state till date.

The state of Karnataka witnessed the higher output at 1.55 MT a jump of 17% compared to last year coupled with a slightly better recovery which stood at 9.87%. Tamil Nadu has produced 3 lakh tonnes so far, while Andhra Pradesh has registered a 12% increase at 3.28 lakh tonnes. ISMA has reiterated its earlier projections of 24 MT for the year. The government has pegged the 2012-13 output at 23 MT. The industry body is expected to review the situation by mid-January.