159 Lakh Tonnes Sugar Produced

16-Jan-2026 10:59 AM

New Delhi. Vigorous sugarcane crushing is underway in all major producing states of the country, leading to a significant increase in domestic sugar production. Improved supply and availability of sugar are putting downward pressure on prices.

According to a report by the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories (NFCSF), total sugar production in the country reached 159 lakh tonnes during the first three and a half months of the current marketing season, from October 1, 2025, to January 15, 2026.

The top three producing states – Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka – contributed 141 lakh tonnes, or 89 percent, of this total.

The remaining 18 lakh tonnes, or 11 percent, was produced in other states, including Gujarat, Bihar, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.

According to the Federation, compared to the previous season, not only has sugarcane crushing increased this season, but the average sugar recovery rate from sugarcane has also risen to 9.01 percent.

This has resulted in a substantial increase in sugar production. Production in Maharashtra is increasing much faster this year compared to last year. Similarly, production in Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka is also ahead of the previous season.

According to the Federation, approximately 9 lakh tonnes of sugarcane components (sugarcane juice, syrup, B-heavy molasses, and C-heavy molasses) equivalent to sugar have been used for ethanol production so far during the current marketing season.

However, performance on the sugar export front remains weak as global market prices are not rising rapidly. Sugarcane crushing will continue for the next few months.