As of January 15, 2024, India’s sugar sector has marked a historic milestone with 509 sugar factories nationwide collectively yielding a staggering 148.70 lakh tonnes of sugar. The crushing of 1563 lakh tonnes of sugarcane fueled this remarkable production.
Maharashtra maintains its lead in both sugarcane crushing and sugar production. National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories (NFCSF) President, Jaiprakash Dandegaonkar, predicts a final national sugar production figure of at least 305.50 lakh tonnes by the end of the sugar season, possibly increasing by an additional 8 to 10 lakh tonnes.
The top three contributing states, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka, collectively account for 75.83% of sugarcane and sugar production. Rains played a pivotal role in boosting sugarcane yield, particularly in these states.
Uttar Pradesh leads in sugar recovery at 9.90%, followed by Telangana and Karnataka. Additionally, a surge in ethanol production is expected, driven by increased government purchase prices and export duties, with the NFCSF projecting a 12-15% rise in ethanol-blended petrol by year-end.
