India’s Sugar Output Up 14%, Operational Mills Decline: ISMA
17-Feb-2026 04:01 PM
India’s Sugar Output Up 14%, Operational Mills Decline: ISMA
★ According to the Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA), India’s sugar production in the 2025–26 (Oct–Sept) season rose 14% year-on-year to 22.5 million tonnes as of February 15. However, the number of operational sugar mills declined slightly to 456, compared with 460 during the same period last year.
★ Maharashtra recorded a sharp 32% rise in output to around 9 million tonnes, with 182 mills currently operational. Karnataka’s production increased to 4.1 million tonnes from 3.6 million tonnes a year ago.
★ In Uttar Pradesh, output rose 3% to 6.6 million tonnes, even as operational mills fell from 119 to 111. Gujarat’s production declined to 0.58 million tonnes, while Tamil Nadu saw an increase to 0.272 million tonnes.
★ ISMA noted that rising production costs and lower ex-mill realizations are putting pressure on mill cash flows, leading to higher cane payment arrears. The industry is expecting an early upward revision in the Minimum Selling Price (MSP) of sugar.