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Informist, Monday, Mar. 2, 2026

 

--ISMA: India Oct 1-Feb 28 sugar output 24.75 mln tn vs 22.02 mln tn year ago 

--ISMA: 305 mills crushing cane as of Feb 28 vs 330 year ago 

--ISMA: Maharashtra Oct 1-Feb 28 sugar output 9.5 mln tn vs 7.5 mln tn yr ago 

--ISMA: Uttar Pradesh Oct 1-Feb 28 sugar output 7.5 mln tn vs 7.3 mln yr ago 

--ISMA: Karnataka Oct 1-Feb 28 sugar output 4.5 mln tn vs 3.8 mln tn yr ago 

 

NEW DELHI – India's sugar production in the ongoing 2025-26 (Oct-Sept) season rose over 12% on year to 24.75 million tonnes as of end-February, the Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) said Monday. The number of operational sugar mills fell to 305 as of Saturday, down from 330 a year ago, it said. At the start of the season, 536 units were operational. 

 

Sugar output in major sugarcane-growing states also rose on year, with Maharashtra continuing to be the strongest performer this season, producing 9.5 million tonnes, up 27% on year. The state had 88 mills running as of Saturday, against 94 units a year ago. 

 

In Uttar Pradesh, sugar production as of end-February rose over 2.5% on year to 7.5 million tonnes, ISMA said. The state had 105 mills operational as of Saturday, unchanged from a year ago. 

 

Meanwhile, Karnataka's sugar production rose 16.5% on year to 4.5 million tonnes. The state had 25 mills operational as of Saturday, against 23 units a year ago. Karnataka had 81 mills operational at the start of the season. "Notably, some mills in South Karnataka are expected to resume operations during the special season from June/July to September 2026," ISMA said. 

 

As the sugar season advances and inventories rise, the industry continues to await an early upward revision of the minimum selling price, currently at INR 31 per kilogram, ISMA said. In Maharashtra, sugarcane arrears as of Feb. 15 stood at INR 46.01 billion, compared with INR 27.44 billion on the same date last year, it added. 

 

"A timely MSP revision aligned with current cost structures is crucial to restore mill viability, expedite farmer payments, and maintain market stability, without any additional fiscal burden on the government," the association said. End

 

Reported by Afra Abubacker

Edited by Saji George Titus

 

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