The sugarcane crushing season in India is in its final phase, with production slightly lower than the previous season during the same period.

According to the data from the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Limited (NFCSF), as of April 30, 2024, the crushing for the season 2023-24 is ongoing in 23 sugar mills across the country. As of now, 3129.75 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of sugarcane have been crushed to produce 315.90 LMT of sugar.

A total of 534 sugar mills participated in the crushing season, of which 511 have now closed. In the previous season, 534 sugar mills participated, and 468 had closed operations during the same period.

Sugarcane crushing in the current season is slightly lower than the previous season, but sugar recovery is higher. The average sugar recovery in the current season is 10.09 percent, compared to 9.84 percent in the previous season during the same period.

Maharashtra is the leading producer of sugar in the current season, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka.

Except for Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, sugar mills in other states have ended operations. Sugar production in Maharashtra reached 109.95 LMT, whereas in Uttar Pradesh, sugar output is 103.35 LMT.

According to NFCSF, Indian sugar production is estimated to reach 321.35 lakh tonnes, compared to 333.90 lakh tonnes last year.