Sugar production in the country was up 13 per cent at 249.80 lakh tonnes (221.52 lakh tonnes) up to April 22 in the current sugar year (October-September).

Some 181 mills were functioning against 214 mills in the same period last year, according to the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA).

Maharashtra produced 87.11 lakh tonnes of sugar, up 8.5 per cent compared with last year. The cane recovery rate is 11.61 per cent.

Sugar production in Uttar Pradesh was up 18 per cent at 69.40 lakh tonnes. Cane recovery rate was at 9.07 per cent. Seven mills were operational in the State.

Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have also reported higher production of 37.50 and 15.25 lakh tonnes, respectively.

Tamil Nadu is expected to produce another 7 lakh tonnes in this sugar season. There were 30 mills operational in Karnataka and 44 mills in Tamil Nadu.

Andhra Pradesh has reported 12 per cent higher production at 11.10 lakh tonnes.

ISMA maintains its sugar production estimate at 260 lakh tonnes in the current season.