Sugar Production Continues to Rise

19-Jan-2026 05:39 PM

New Delhi. A significant increase in sugar production is being observed at the national level due to increased sugarcane crushing and improved average sugar recovery rates from sugarcane.

Compared to the previous season, the average sugar recovery rate is higher in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra this year, but slightly lower in Karnataka. Maharashtra is witnessing the fastest growth in sugar production.

According to the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories, sugar production in the country increased to 158.85 lakh tonnes during the current marketing season, from October 1, 2025, to January 15, 2026.

This is 28.25 lakh tonnes, or approximately 22 percent, more than the 130.60 lakh tonnes produced during the same period of the previous marketing season.

Sugar production has increased significantly in the three top producing states – Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka – and there has also been some improvement in production in other states, including Gujarat.

However, sugar production lagged behind the previous season in states like Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, and Andhra Pradesh. Production was better in Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh.

The Federation has estimated that domestic sugar production for the entire 2025-26 marketing season will reach 315 lakh tonnes, which is 53.20 lakh tonnes, or approximately 20 percent, more than the total actual production of 261.80 lakh tonnes in the 2024-25 season.

Vigorous sugarcane crushing is continuing in all major producing states and is expected to continue for a longer period this time.

Maharashtra is expected to produce 110 lakh tonnes, Uttar Pradesh 105 lakh tonnes, and Karnataka 55 lakh tonnes of sugar.