Domestic Sugar Production Estimated to Hover Around 280 Lakh Tonnes

17-Apr-2026 06:02 PM

New Delhi. With only 19 units remaining operational during the current marketing season, total domestic sugar production is estimated to settle at around 280 lakh tonnes. As of April 15, approximately 275 lakh tonnes of sugar had been produced. Sugarcane crushing is currently underway at a few units in Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh; however, these operations are also expected to cease shortly.

Latest data from the apex industry body—the Indian Sugar and Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA)—reveals that during the current marketing season (from October 1, 2025, to April 15, 2026), the country produced a total of 274.80 lakh tonnes of sugar.

This figure represents an increase of nearly 20 lakh tonnes compared to the 255 lakh tonnes produced during the corresponding period of the 2024-25 season.

While sugar production has indeed risen by 8 percent, it falls significantly short of the estimates projected at the beginning of the season. According to ISMA, on April 15 of last year, sugarcane crushing was ongoing at 38 sugar mills, whereas in the current year, that number has dropped by half.

According to ISMA's report, a special sugarcane crushing session will be conducted at select units in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu during June and July, potentially yielding an additional production of up to 3 lakh tonnes of sugar.

Consequently, the total seasonal production could reach approximately 280 lakh tonnes. ISMA had previously estimated the sugar production figure at 309.50 lakh tonnes.