So far this season, sugar production has dropped by 16 PCs; the collaborative body flag production ambiguity

Partner NFCSF said on Sunday that sugar production in New Delhi (PTI) fell by 16.13% on March 16 (PTI) to date, India’s sugar production has dropped by 23.71 million tons so far in the 2024-25 season, posing challenges to government policies, which are formulated based on higher preliminary forecasts.

The National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factory (NFCSF) expressed concern about the “ambiguity” of sugar production, as the 2024-25 sugarcane crushing season (October to September) ended significantly lower than initially expected production.

Sugar production estimates have been repeated since the start of the season, posing a challenge to government policies, which were formulated based on initial forecasts of 33.3 million tons, the industry body said in a statement.

“Part of the industry has proposed 33.3 million tons of sugar production to the central government. Based on this, the central government began to formulate its policies,” the NFCSF said.

According to initial production estimates, the central government allowed the export of 1 million tons of sugar in January 2025, but with the trend of actual production numbers, it is now facing a mismatch of supply and demand.

According to NFCSF data, production in Maharashtra, India’s largest sugar makers, fell to March 15 this season, down from 10.04 million tons a year ago to 7.86 million tons.

Uttar Pradesh, the country’s second largest producer, fell from 8.85 million tonnes to 8.09 million tonnes, while Karnataka’s production fell from 4.95 million tonnes to 3.91 million tonnes in the same period.

NFCSF president Harshvardhan Patil said the breaking season in most states will end by the end of March, while Uttar Pradesh Mills will operate until mid-April.

Patil expressed concern about the shortened crushing period, especially in Maharashtra, which lasted only 83 days, while the economically viable duration was 140-150 days.

“This year, the entire sugar industry in Maharashtra has found itself in a huge financial woes. It’s very difficult to associate a 365-day fee and load in the 83-day season,” Patil said.

This season, major sugar cane-growing countries face multiple challenges. The CO-0238 variety in Uttar Pradesh suffered severe infestations from the “red rot” disease and “Top Shoot Bore” pests, while standing sugar cane in Maharashtra and Karnataka experienced premature flowering, resulting in slow growth and reduced sugar yields.

The NFCSF expects the country’s total sugar production to drop by 25.9 million tons in the ongoing 2024-25 season, up from 31.9 million tons last season.

Despite the challenges currently, NFCSF Managing Director Prakash Naiknaware expressed optimism for the 2025-26 season due to increased planting volumes due to satisfactory rainfall in 2024 and favorable weather forecasts.

“If this happens, not only will the availability of sugar cane and sugar production be much better in the subsequent 2025-26 season, but it may also be extended to 2026-27,” Naiknaware said.