Maharashtra Produces 99.18 Lakh Tonnes of Sugar This Season

12-May-2026 01:15 PM

Pune. Data released by the Office of the Sugar Commissioner of Maharashtra reveals that during the current marketing season of 2025-26 (October–September), 104.5 million tonnes of sugarcane were crushed in the state. With an average recovery rate of 9.49 percent, the total sugar production rose to reach 9.918 million tonnes (99.18 lakh tonnes).

In the 2024-25 season, 85.382 million tonnes of sugarcane were crushed; this season, however, the crushing volume was higher by 19.176 million tonnes. The average sugar recovery rate from sugarcane also showed improvement.

Sugarcane cultivation is practiced across all regions of Maharashtra, with the Pune, Solapur, and Kolhapur divisions being the primary hubs. This season, the Kolhapur division recorded the highest sugar production, totaling 2.319 million tonnes. Although the Pune and Solapur divisions witnessed the highest volume of sugarcane crushing, their sugar recovery rates remained significantly lower than that of the Kolhapur division.

An interesting fact is that, compared to the 2024-25 season, the 2025-26 season saw an increase of approximately 19.2 million tonnes in sugarcane crushing and about 1.825 million tonnes in sugar production; yet, the actual sugarcane crushing season concluded in a mere 105 days.

This provides a clear indication that the daily sugarcane crushing capacity of sugar mills in the state has increased significantly. The government is now considering moving forward with the objective of extending the sugarcane crushing season to 150 days, alongside aiming for a substantial increase in the average sugarcane yield rate and overall production.