Based on satellite imagery the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) has estimated that the sugarcane acreage in U.P in this fiscal would be around 9 per cent less than the last fiscal of 2013-14 thus predicting less sugar this year.

“As the sugarcane acerage has dropped this sugar cane year therefore it is estimated that that as compared to 65 lakh tons of sugar produced by U.P. sugar mills in 2013-14, sugar production would be less in 2014-15 as compared to last sugar season,” spokesman of ISMA said here on Friday

The satellite images of mid-June, 2014 on the sugarcane acreage across the country has been procured by ISMA and after detailed analysis, it is estimated that the total sugarcane acreage of the country in 2014-15 sugar season would be around 52.30 lakh hactare which is about 2 per cent less than last year.

“As per the satellite images the sugarcane crop acreage Uttar Pradesh is lower resulting in less sugar production in UP in this fiscal,” he said.

As there is a threat of drought that looms large over Uttar Pradesh the ISMA says since sugarcane crop is largely grown on irrigated area and with current water level in reservoirs being in good position, the impact of lower rainfall, if any, can be minimized.

Based on the acreages, estimated yields and sugar recovery, as well as drawal of sugarcane by the sugar industry and current rainfall progression and availability of water in the reservoirs, the preliminary estimates of  ISMA for sugar production in 2014-15 sugar season, works out to around 253 lakh tons of sugar.  

This would be about 4 per cent higher than the estimated sugar production of around 243 lakh tons in June 2013-14 sugar season.

With an estimated opening balance of sugar of around 75 lakh tons, as on 1st October, 2014 for the next sugar season and sugar production as estimated above, there will more than sufficient sugar to take care of domestic requirement, of around 245 lakh tons next year.