India’s sugar production stood at 22.36 million tonnes till February 15 of the ongoing 2023-24 marketing year. In year-ago period, Sugar production stood at 22.93 million tonnes. Sugar marketing year runs from October to September.
In its second estimate, the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) has projected sugar output to decline by 10 per cent to 33.05 million tonnes in the current 2023-24 marketing year as against 36.62 million tonnes in the previous year. Sugar production in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu remained lower till February 15 of the ongoing marketing year. However, sugar output in Uttar Pradesh was higher at 6.77 million tonnes as against 6.12 million tonnes in the period under review.
The production in Maharashtra was down at 7.94 million tonnes till February 15 of this marketing year, compared with 8.59 million tonnes in the year-ago period. Similarly, production in Karnataka -- the country's third largest producer was down at 4.32 million tonnes from 4.6 million tonnes in the said period. Sugar output reached 6,85,000 tonnes in Gujarat and 4,50,000 tonnes in Tamil Nadu so far this marketing year.