• ISMA in its meeting held on 24th January 2013 discussed the status of production of sugar till 15th January, 2013 and noted that as compared to last year on the corresponding period, the production has been 3 lakh tons more.
• The satellite images of sugarcane acreage as on 7th January, 2013 for the country as a whole has been considered, which gives an idea of sugarcane harvested upto 7th Jan and the cane available in the fields.
• While making estimates, ISMA has also taken care of sugarcane, which would go into local sweeteners, seed purposes for 2013-14 plantation, sugarcane for chew/feed purpose, impact of drought on sugarcane yield and recovery in southern and western zones etc.
• After considering the sugarcane for 2013-14 planting, the available sugarcane for crushing in the balance period of the season was examined and after due consideration of estimated yields, recovery and drawl of the same by the sugar industry, ISMA reviewed its earlier estimate of sugar production of 240 lakh tons.
• The yields, recovery and expected diversion of sugarcane into alternate sweeteners like gur and khandsari in the case of U.P was analysed including the returns to the gur and khandsari manufacturers and their paying capacity to the farmers. Accordingly, it was felt that the mills in U.P would produce 81 lakh tons of sugar in the current season, which is 2 lakh tons more than the earlier estimation of 79 lakh tons.
• In the case of Maharashtra, where upto 7th January, 2013, 33 lakh tons of sugar has already been produced, where ISMA had earlier estimated 65 lakh tons of sugar production in the current season, it was agreed by the members of ISMA that another 35 lakh tons of sugar would be produced from 8th January, 2013 onwards from the balance sugarcane noticed in the fields for harvesting in the current season.
• Similarly, in the case of Karnataka, the opinion was that Northern part of Karnataka has more sugarcane than what was expected earlier and, therefore, North-West Karnataka would produce sugar. Accordingly, the members agreed on revising the Karnataka sugar production figure from 30 lakh tons earlier to 32 lakh tons. Thus, the total production will be 68 lakh tons in Maharashtra.
• However, in the case of State of Tamil Nadu, the members had a different feeling that due to drought like conditions, the yields and recovery may not be as expected. Accordingly, from the earlier estimate of 25.5 lakh tons of sugar from Tamil Nadu, the Association revised its estimates to 22 lakh tons.
• In the case of other States like Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, the estimated sugar production has been revised from 8.8 lakh tons to 9.6 lakh tons and 10.8 lakh tons to 10 lakh tons, respectively.
• The sugar production estimates of other sugar producing states are expected to be same as projected earlier.
• Considering the above position and state wise estimates, ISMA accordingly revises its earlier sugar production estimates made in Sep. 2012 of 240 lakh tons to 243 lakh tons now. It is important to note that the estimates clearly indicates a higher production than what was estimated earlier.