AISTA Estimates 296 Lakh Tonnes of Sugar Production in 2025-26
30-Jan-2026 11:45 AM
Mumbai: While two leading industry organizations – ISMA and NFCSF – have estimated domestic sugar production to exceed 300 lakh tonnes in the current marketing season (October-September) of 2025, the top trade body, the All India Sugar Trade Association (AISTA),
says that actual production may reach only 296 lakh tonnes, which would be about 13 percent higher than the production in the 2024-25 season. According to the association, approximately 262 lakh tonnes of sugar were produced in the country during the 2024-25 season.
There are clear indications of an increase in sugar production in the three top producing states – Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka.
Compared to the last season, sugar production in Maharashtra is estimated to jump by 33 percent from 81 lakh tonnes to 108 lakh tonnes, in Uttar Pradesh from 93 lakh tonnes to 94 lakh tonnes, and in Karnataka by 14 percent from 43 lakh tonnes to 49 lakh tonnes during the current season.
According to the association, sugarcane crushing is expected to continue in Maharashtra at least until the end of February, while crushing may continue even after February in three mills each in the Pune and Solapur divisions and in units in the Jalna and Latur districts.
Meanwhile, a 15-20 percent decline in ratoon sugarcane yield is being observed in Saharanpur and Bijnor districts of Uttar Pradesh, but the average sugar recovery rate from sugarcane is expected to improve from 10.65 percent last year to 10.90 percent this year.
According to AISTA, mills across the country are likely to use sugarcane components equivalent to approximately 34 lakh tonnes of sugar for ethanol production in the current 2025-26 season.
In the current 2025-26 marketing season, with a carryover stock of 4.7 million tonnes and a production of 29.6 million tonnes, the total availability of sugar will reach 34.3 million tonnes.
Domestic consumption of sugar is estimated to be around 29.5 million tonnes, while approximately 0.8 million tonnes of sugar may be exported from the country.
The industry is likely to have a surplus stock of around 4.8 million tonnes of sugar at the end of the marketing season. The government has permitted the export of 1.5 million tonnes of sugar.