Strong sugar production expected in Maharashtra and Karnataka

05-Nov-2025 08:31 PM

New Delhi. The Indian Sugar and Bio Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) has projected net sugar production to increase to 30.95 million tons during the current marketing season (October-September) 2025-26, significantly higher than the 2024-25 production of 26.108 million tons.

According to ISMA, sugar production in Maharashtra is projected to jump 39 percent from 9.351 million tons to 13 million tons during the reporting period, and in Karnataka, it is projected to increase 16 percent from 5.489 million tons to 6.35 million tons.

Similarly, sugar production in Uttar Pradesh is expected to improve from 10.101 million tons to 10.32 million tons. It should be noted that this production includes sugar used in ethanol production, which is estimated at 3.4 million tons this time. Sugar production in other states of the country is expected to improve from 46.69 lakh tonnes last season to 46.80 lakh tonnes this time.

According to ISMA, the national sugarcane sown area increased from 57.11 lakh hectares in the 2024-25 season to 57.35 lakh hectares this time.

This is particularly true in Maharashtra, where the area increased from 13.82 lakh hectares to 14.71 lakh hectares, and in Karnataka, it improved from 6.40 lakh hectares to 6.80 lakh hectares. However, in Uttar Pradesh, the sugarcane acreage decreased from 23.30 lakh hectares to 22.57 lakh hectares.

According to ISMA, the production of sugar for edible purposes is expected to increase by 48.50 lakh tonnes this season, which will significantly increase the surplus stock held by the industry, taking the total stock to 74.50 lakh tonnes. Even if 20 lakh tonnes of this is exported, the industry may still have a surplus stock of 54.50 lakh tonnes of sugar at the end of the current marketing season.