Sugarcane Acreage Increases - Crop Condition Normal

23-Sep-2025 01:59 PM

New Delhi. Along with a significant increase in sugarcane sown area, crop conditions appear to be normal and satisfactory this year.

Due to good monsoon rains, the sugarcane crop is developing well, which is expected to not only increase its yield but also increase its sucrose content.

This could significantly increase sugar production. However, there are reports of some damage to the sugarcane crop due to floods and rain in limited areas of Maharashtra.

According to data from the Union Agriculture Ministry, the total area under sugarcane cultivation has increased to 57.31 lakh hectares across India this year, which is 1.63 lakh hectares more than the 55.68 lakh hectares during the same period last year.

The acreage has increased significantly in Maharashtra and Karnataka, which are the second and third largest sugarcane producing states, respectively. There has been some fluctuation in acreage in other states as well.

Gross sugar production is projected to jump from 29.5 million tonnes in the 2024-25 season to around 35 million tonnes in the 2025-26 season.

This includes sugar used in ethanol production. According to industry analysts, although the government has allowed uncontrolled use of sugarcane components—sugarcane juice, sugar syrup, B-heavy molasses, and C-heavy molasses—in ethanol production, it is unlikely that more than 40-45 lakh tonnes will be used,

as domestic market prices are also operating at profitable levels. Consequently, sugar stocks for human consumption purposes are expected to remain high.