Domestic Sugar Production Nears 11.9 Million Tonnes

01-Jan-2026 04:56 PM

New Delhi. According to the latest data released by the Indian Sugar and Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA), total sugar production in the country during the first quarter of the current marketing season, October–December 2025, rose to 11.897 million tonnes. This marks an increase of 2.357 million tonnes compared with production of 9.540 million tonnes during the same period last year.

As per the report, sugar output during the review quarter increased in Uttar Pradesh from 3.280 million tonnes to 3.586 million tonnes, surged in Maharashtra from 3.000 million tonnes to 4.861 million tonnes, rose in Karnataka from 2.040 million tonnes to 2.281 million tonnes, and edged up in Gujarat from 0.285 million tonnes to 0.290 million tonnes. On the other hand, production in Tamil Nadu slipped from 0.900 million tonnes to 0.793 million tonnes. Other producing states include Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. Sugarcane crushing is still ongoing in all producing states.

ISMA further reported that the number of operational sugar mills across the country increased to 504 as of December 31, 2025, up from 492 during the same period in 2024. This means that about a dozen more sugar mills are engaged in cane crushing in the 2025–26 season compared with the 2024–25 season.

However, compared to last season, the number of operational sugar mills declined in Uttar Pradesh from 121 to 119, in Karnataka from 76 to 74, and in Gujarat from 15 to 14. In contrast, Maharashtra saw an increase from 190 to 197 mills, while Tamil Nadu recorded a sharp rise from 9 to 20 mills. In other states, the number of operational sugar mills dipped slightly from 81 to 80. Sugarcane crushing and sugar production are expected to continue at least until March–April this season.