Delay in cane crushing and ambiguity over the subsidy policy has declined the sugar production in the country and the export of raw sugar, which the government earmarked at 40 lakh tonne for the current sugar season (October 2013-September 2014). In the last leg of crushing, mills across the country have produced 231.5 lakh tonne, which is 10 lakh tonne less than the sugar produced during the same time, last year, said Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) in their release on sugar production. The amount of raw sugar exported out of the country currently stands at just 8.5 lakh tonne. 

 

Maharashtra has produced 74.7 lakh tonne of sugar as on 15th April, which is about 6% lower as compared to 79.1 lakh tonne of sugar produced in April last year. 

 

Sugar mills in UP have produced 62.6 lakh tonne of sugar, which is almost 10 lakh tonne less than the 72.9 lakh tonne of sugar produced at the same time last year. 

 

“The main reason for lower sugar production this year in UP is the fact that the sugar mills started crushing slightly late because of the uncertainty on the sugarcane pricing, lower sugarcane yields and slightly higher diversion of sugarcane into gur manufacturing,” said ISMA. 

 

Karnataka has produced has produced 40.5 lakh tonne of sugar, the highest ever sugar production in its history. Andhra Pradesh produced 9.8 lakh tonne of sugar, which is the same as that of last year.