18 percent decline in sugar production due to low availability of sugarcane
16-May-2025 02:03 PM
New Delhi. According to the latest data from the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories (NFCSF), India’s domestic sugar production has fallen to 257.50 lakh tonnes during the current marketing season (October 2024 to September 2025), as of May 15, 2025.
This marks an 18 percent decline compared to the 315.40 lakh tonnes produced during the same period of the previous 2023-24 season. The decline is primarily attributed to a reduced supply of sugarcane and a lower average recovery rate of sugar.
Sugarcane production has been adversely affected by insufficient rainfall and increased incidents of pest and disease outbreaks. Additionally, a larger portion of the sugarcane crop has been diverted for ethanol production.
The average recovery rate of sugar from sugarcane has dropped from 10.10 percent last season to 9.30 percent this season.
The total volume of sugarcane crushed for sugar production has also decreased from 3122.61 lakh tonnes to 2767.75 lakh tonnes.
The most significant reductions in production have occurred in the top three sugar-producing states: Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.
Maharashtra's production fell from 110.20 lakh tonnes last season to 80.95 lakh tonnes. All sugar mills in Maharashtra and Karnataka have now ceased operations.
Sugar output in Uttar Pradesh declined from 103.65 lakh tonnes to 92.75 lakh tonnes, while in Karnataka it fell from 51.40 lakh tonnes to 40.40 lakh tonnes.
Other key producing states, including Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, have also recorded lower sugar output. Currently, only three sugar mills in Tamil Nadu and one in Uttar Pradesh remain operational, while all other mills in the country have shut down.
The NFCSF estimates that total domestic sugar production for the full 2024-25 marketing season will reach approximately 261.10 lakh tonnes, down from 319 lakh tonnes in the previous season.
Of this, 257.50 lakh tonnes have already been produced. The remaining production is expected during special sugarcane crushing sessions scheduled in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka between July and September.