Government estimates sugar production at 34 million tons

09-Oct-2025 04:54 PM

New Delhi. The central government has projected that gross domestic sugar production will improve to 34 million tons during the current marketing season (October-September) of 2025-26, but this is still 0.9 million tons, or 2.6 percent, lower than the production estimate of 34.9 million tons set by the apex industry body, the Indian Sugar and Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA).

According to senior official sources, this is a preliminary and conservative estimate of sugar production, based on the first round of discussions held with states on October 8, 2025. This production estimate may be slightly increased when sugarcane crushing begins.

It is noteworthy that ISMA had set a sugar production estimate of 4.9 million tons on July 31, 2025. This was a preliminary estimate based on sugarcane sown area, water availability, and initial crop progress. ISMA is expected to release its first advance estimate of sugar production in October or November.

Government data shows that domestic sugarcane production has increased by 1.86 lakh hectares from last year's 57.22 lakh hectares to 59.07 lakh hectares this year, significantly exceeding the five-year average of 52.51 lakh hectares.

Based on the area sown, a significant increase in sugarcane sugar production can be expected, but the damage caused to the sugarcane crop by floods and rains should not be ignored.

According to official sources, the government must be cautious about its sugar production estimates. While the estimates for Uttar Pradesh are generally considered accurate, Maharashtra and Karnataka have stated that they may further increase their production estimates.

As sugarcane crushing accelerates, the picture of sugar production will become clearer. All three top producing states say that the sugarcane crop is in better condition than last year and its yield is likely to increase significantly.