Indian sugar mills association

Rains likely to damage sugar k

Date:	14 Apr 2011

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News ID:	16

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PUNE: Maharashtra sugar mills, which are worried over falling prices and a glut in production, are facing a new problem with pre-monsoon showers threatening to damage the sugar bags kept in the open. "There is no offtake of sugar. Prices are plunging everyday due to the announcement of a higher quota for open sale. Exports are not happening. We are bursting at the seams and soon may have to keep sugar in the open," said Vikramsinh Ghatge, chairman of Kolhapur-based Shri Chhatrapati Shahu Sahkari Shakkar Karkhana (SSK), a sugar coopeative. Babanrao Shinde, chairman of Vitthalrao Shinde SSK, Solapur, said, "We have stored one lakh quintal sugar in the open. Though it is covered properly and has been insured, there is still a risk from pre-monsoon showers." As of today, 85% of cane in the state has been crushed. The crushing of the remaining 125 lakh tonne cane is the real challenge that the mills are staring at. Maharashtra had crushed 615 lakh tonne cane in 2009-10 and produced 71 lakh tonne sugar. In the current year, the state has completed crushing of 676.78 lakh tonne cane till April 10 producing 76.21 lakh tonne sugar.

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