214 sugar mills in Maharashtra seek nod to start cane crushing from Nov 1
214 sugar mills in Maharashtra have applied to begin cane crushing from November 1 for the 2025-26 season. New mandatory deductions raise total contributions to Rs 27.50 per tonne. Despite sufficient cane availability, heavy rains are slowing harvesting. Farmer pricing disputes may also delay operations, while mills await clarity on exports and ethanol quotas.
Kolhapur: A total of 214 sugar mills across Maharashtra have applied to the sugar commissioner’s office in Pune for permission to commence sugar cane crushing from Nov 1, the official start date for the 2025-26 crushing season as set by state govt.Of the total applications, 107 each are from cooperative and private mills. Officials said the processing of these applications was contingent upon the payment of mandatory deductions per tonne of sugar produced. This season, state govt has introduced two new mandatory deductions — Rs 5 per tonne for farmers affected by floods and heavy rain, and an additional Rs 5 per tonne towards the CM’s Relief Fund. This brings the total deduction to Rs 27.50 per tonne, including the contributions to the Vasantdada Sugar Institute in Manjari.Sugar commissioner Sanjay Kolte told TOI that all applications would eventually be processed, noting that mills had cleared their dues and paid the fair and remunerative price (FRP) to farmers for the 2024-25 season. “Sugar production is projected to reach 105 lakh tonnes, with 20 lakh tonnes expected to be diverted for ethanol production,” he said.Ongoing rainfall in regions like Marathwada and western Maharashtra is, however, posing challenges to harvesting, affecting both manual labour and mechanised operations.
Sugar industry expert Vijay Autade estimated that 1,150 lakh tonnes of sugar cane is available for crushing this season. “But production may decline due to rain-related crop damage. With ample global sugar supply, especially from Brazil, mills may push for lifting the export ban. Additionally, the ethanol production quota could be revised based on evolving conditions,” he said.Autade highlighted that farmer protests could further delay crushing operations. “Mills will need to engage with union leaders to resolve pricing disputes, which currently exceed what mills can afford,” he added.
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Source : The Times Of India
