India’s sugar production forcasted lower to 25mt for 2012-13
Date: 03-07-2012According to Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) the country's sugar production has been forecasted of 25 million tonnes (mt) for 2012-13 which is lower than the current year’s estimate of 26 mt, mainly due to inadequate rains impacting yields and recovery in the key States of Maharashtra and Karnataka.
The southwest monsoon in June has delivered 31 per cent less than the long-term average rainfall and resulted in scarcity of moisture and excess of sunshine, both harmful for germination, plant growth and accumulation of sucrose (sweetener) content in the cane crop. Since the rainfall in the next couple of months would be crucial to firm up estimates on the yield, recovery and sugar production it was considered a high time to make a good estimation of sugar production
However, ISMA is expecting a production of another 3 lakh tonne in the next three months along with an export of 3.5 mt, by the end of September and through this country will be comfortable for opening a balance for 2012-13 and will remain as net exporter of sugar next year too.