Pune: Maharashtra’s sugar industry is battling a glut in production and the loss of traditional domestic markets to UP, and looking to exports as the lone saviour when sugar in the state is expected to match last year’s record production.
Maharashtra's own sugar consumption is only about 24-25 lakh quintal. With production touching 107 lakh quintals in 2017-18 and already adding 96.5 lakh quintals in the ongoing season, the mills are reeling under pressure of excess sugar production. “It’s a serious concern how we put a cap on the sugar production in Maharashtra, which is the lone sufferer of the excess sugar supply in the country. We may have to focus more on sugar exports,” said Khatal. Cumulatively, the state's sugar mills have paid 73 per cent of the fair and remunerative price to farmers till Feb 28. With one more private sugar mill starting in the state this month, the total number of sugar mills has now increased to 194 and the state government is still trying to revive some sick mills.