Sugar production in the current 2012-13 season till November 15 was up 27 per cent at 9.84 lakh tonnes (lt) over corresponding period last year.

This is about 2 lakh tonnes more than last season’s 7.76 lakh tonnes output, according to the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA).

This rise in output is mainly on account of higher production by mills in Karnataka.

Majority of the sugar mills in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh are yet to begin crushing, which has been delayed over cane pricing issues.

About 178 mills across the country have begun crushing as on November 15 as against 215 mills at the same time last year. In UP, only three mills have begun crushing as against 43 last year.

In Maharashtra, 93 mills have started their operations against 95 last year.

However, in Karnataka 49 mills have begun production against 48 in the corresponding period last year.

The Karnataka mills have so far produced 4.20 lt (2.37 lt).

ISMA expects 2012-13 sugar output at 24 mt, down 8 per cent over last year’s 26 mt.

The decline is mainly on account of deficient rains affecting cane acreage in Maharashtra and Karnataka.