NEW DELHI: Cane crushing in Uttar Pradesh, the nation's second largest sugar producer behind Maharashtra, is set to commence within a fortnight.

But private mills say it may take more than a month for many of them to start operators and that they are waiting for the state government to announce the final cane purchase price. "Mills in Uttar Pradesh have assured the state sugar commissioner that they will start cane crushing," said Union Food Secretary Sudhir Kumar.

"Sugar crushing will start the by third week of November. Some mills in West UP will start crushing by November 10," said Subhash Chandra Sharma, the state's cane commissioner.

India's sugar production in the 2014-15 season is estimated to increase to 25.5 million tonnes from 24.5 million tonnes last year, a government official said. In Uttar Pradesh, private mills had earlier threatened to stay away from crushing this season over the price of cane they need to pay farmers.

"On some assurance by the state government, sugar companies have started maintenance of their mills," said Indian Sugar Mills Association Director-General Abinash Verma.