Similarly, due to the same reasons, sugarcane area in Karnataka too has declined in 2016-17. It was 5.10 lac ha. in 2015-16 SS, while this year area under sugarcane is expected to be about 4.15 lac ha. Thus, sugar production in 2016-17 SS is estimated to be around 32.2 lac tons, as against 40.71 lac tons expected to be produced in 2015-16 SS.
However, Uttar Pradesh, the leading sugarcane producing State in the country, is estimated to have a slightly higher area under sugarcane at 23.35 lakh hectares, as against 23.02 lac ha. last year.
"Unlike Maharashtra and North Karnataka, the weather has been good in U.P. with adequate rainfall. Thus, sugar production in U.P. in 2016-17 SS is estimated to be around 75.40 lakh tons, which was 68.22 lac tons in 2015-16 SS," said the statement.
Sugarcane area in Tamil Nadu in 2016-17 SS has also increased to 2.65 lac ha. as against 2.50 lac ha. in 2015-16 SS. Due to better rainfall and expected improvement in yield, sugarcane production will also increase, resulting in better sugar production of 15.6 lac tons in 2016-17 SS as against 13.93 lac tons produced in 2015-16 SS.
During 2015-16 SS, till 30th June, 2016, about 248.15 lakh tons of sugar has been produced and another 2.75 lakh tons is expected to be produced in the special season till September, 2016 in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, taking total sugar production in 2015-16 SS to 251 lac tons.
Thus, ISMA estimated production of 232.6 lakh tons of sugar in the season 2016-17. This is about 18-19 lac tons less than the current 2015-16 SS production of around 251 lac tons.