ISMA Pegs Sugar Output at 4.108 MT by Nov 30
02-Dec-2025 04:09 PM
New Delhi. The latest report of the Indian Sugar and Bioenergy Manufacturers Association (ISMA), the apex body of private sugar mills, states that due to the increase in the number of operational units, increased crushing of sugarcane, and higher average sugar recovery rates,
domestic sugar production during the first two months of the current marketing season (October-September) of 2025-26, i.e., October-November 2025, has increased to 4.108 million tonnes, significantly higher than the production of 2.876 million tonnes during the same period of the previous season.
According to ISMA, sugarcane crushing had started in 376 sugar mills by November 30th last year, while the number of operational sugar mills by the same date in the current season has increased to 428.
According to ISMA, this year there are signs of improvement in the average sugarcane yield and average sugar recovery rates from sugarcane. Sugarcane crushing is gradually picking up pace across the country, and sugar mills are receiving a good amount of sugarcane.
According to the association's report, during the first two months of the current marketing season, sugar production increased from 1.17 million tons to 1.397 million tons in Uttar Pradesh compared to last year, and in Maharashtra, it jumped to 1.695 million tons,
compared to only 4.60 million tons last year. Karnataka and Gujarat also reported improved sugar production figures. The above sugar production figures do not include sugar used in ethanol production.
ISMA has once again urged the government to increase the ex-factory minimum selling price (MSP) for sugar. It has remained unchanged for the last six years, while the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane has been increasing every year.
This has significantly increased the cost of sugar production. This year, sugarcane prices have been significantly increased in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttarakhand, pushing the average all-India sugar production cost to ₹4,172 per quintal. This will make it difficult for millers to make timely payments to sugarcane farmers.