Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) said that India's sugar production till mid November has reached only one third of the sugar output during the same period last year (2018). The reason for delay is due to late crushing operations in Karnataka and Maharashtra.
ISMA said that "As per trade and port information, about 2 lakh tonnes of sugar have already been shipped out for exports. From market sources and information from sugar mills, it is learnt that contracts for another 12 lakh tonnes have been signed by the parties for exports".
A release from ISMA said "As on 15 November 2019, only 100 sugar mills started crushing sugarcane, as compared to 310 sugar mills last year".
During the current season, sugar production as on 15th November 2019 was 4.85 lakh tonnes and it was 13.38 lakh tonnes produced as on 15th November 2018 in 2018-19 season.
According to ISMA, lower sugar production as compared to last season is that sugar mills in Maharashtra have not started their crushing operation this season.
"Similarly in Karnataka, 18 sugar mills were in operation as on November 15 and have produced 1.43 lakh tonnes, as compared to 53 mills which were operating had produced 3.60 lakh tonnes last year up to the corresponding date. The States of Maharashtra and Karnataka have faced drought last year, because of which the area planted under sugarcane therein has dropped by about 30% as compared to last season. With lower rainfall and water availability, the yields and recoveries would also be lower. Plus the recent floods and extra rainfall have affected the crop further. The Government of Maharashtra has now decided to start the crushing of cane by the mills therein from 22nd November 2019," added ISMA.
In Uttar Pradesh, this season 69 sugar mills have started their crushing operations and they have produced 2.93 lakh tonnes of sugar by November 15. Similar number of mills were in operation in last season but they had manufactured 1.76 lakh tonnes till November 15.
There were 2 mills in Uttarakhand, 2 in Bihar, 1 in Haryana, 3 in Gujarat and 5 mills in Tamil Nadu have begin crushing operations and they have together produced 49,000 tons of sugar till November, 2019.
