In the first six months of 2012-13 marketing year that started in October last year, the country’s sugar production fell by 2% and stood at 230.5 lakh tonne (LT). This fall can be attributed due to drop in output in states of Maharashtra and Karnataka. The country has produced 230.5 LT of sugar till end of March 2013 by crushing about 2,285 LT of sugarcane with 10.09% recovery. Till date, the production of sugar is about 2% less than last year, as per report compiled by Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA).
The state of Maharashtra has produced 77 LT of sugar during the period, which is about 4% less than last year while Karnataka has produced 32.9 LT of sugar, which is 7% less compared to last year. The fall in production is due to drought-like situation in many parts of these two states on account of poor rainfall during 2012 monsoon season. On the other hand, sugar production in Uttar Pradesh stood at 67.5 LT during October-March period of 2012-13 marketing year against 66.7 LT in the year-ago period.
For the full 2012-13 marketing year, ISMA has estimated 246 LT of sugar production as compared to 263 LT in the previous year. ISMA anticipates that production would be about 16 LT more than the expected sugar quota to be released by the government at 230 LT for 2012-13.
India is the world’s second largest producer of sugar after Brazil, the country’s sugar production stood at 234.5 LT in the year ago period. The sugar marketing year runs from October to September.
