Id: 18 Name: Production figure of sugar till 15th March 2012 - ISMA Venue: New Delhi Date: 19 Mar 2012 Event Pdf: 211.6 lakh tonnes of sugar has been produced till 15th March 2012 as compared to 185.71 lakh tonnes in the corresponding period of sugar season 2010-11. The sugar production till 15th March 2012 is about 14 percent more than the same period last year. \n As against 419 mills which were operational on 15th March last year, 476 mills are operational as on 15th March 2012. \n Maharashtra has produced 73.03 lakh tonnes of sugar till 15th March 2012, 13 percent higher than last year.\n Uttar Pradesh has produced 60.15 lakh tonnes of sugar which is about 13% higher than last year. \n The southern states of Karnataka & Tamil Nadu have also reported higher production of 32 lakh tonnes & 10.80 lakh tonnes respectively.\n Andhra Pradesh has reported 13% more production than last year. The state has produced about 9.90 lakh tonnes of sugar so far.\n ISMA still maintains that the sugar production will be 260 lakh tonnes in the current season 2011-12.\n ISMA also feels that with an opening balance of 68 lakh tons of sugar as on 1st October, 2011, as estimated by Department of Food and PD, Government of India and production of 260 lakh tons, which seems very much possible, the Government should immediately allow further exports to reduce the surplus sugar which is estimated to be over 20 to 25 lakh tons.\n Since demand in international market is more for raw sugar, the permission should be given by end of March 2012 so that mills could produce raw sugar before they shut their operations expected by mid-April 2012 or so. This will help in clearance of cane price arrears which have mounted to unprecedented levels.