Sugar cane crushing season may start 15 days early as Maharashtra govt moves to cool sugar prices
Maharashtra may advance the sugarcane crushing season to October 15 from November 1 to boost sugar supplies before the festive period and stabilise prices. With around 15.4 lakh hectares under cane, officials are assessing early crushing amid tight stocks, while rainfall deficits could affect yields and sugar recovery.
Kolhapur: In a bid to stabilise sugar prices ahead of the festive season, state government is likely to advance Maharashtra’s sugar cane crushing season by around 15 days, allowing mills to begin operations from Oct 15 instead of the usual Nov 1.
The move is being considered as sugar prices remain elevated despite recent intervention by Centre. Officials said an early start would bring fresh sugar into the market sooner and ease pressure on supplies at a time when demand is set to rise.
Preliminary estimates show sugar cane grown on roughly 15.4 lakh hectares across Maharashtra is available for crushing this season. Sugar Commissionerate has already invited applications for crushing licences and asked mills to complete licence formalities by Sept-end. Mills must also ensure full payment of last season’s dues to farmers before securing permission.
A senior govt official said the final call will be taken by a committee headed by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.
“The opening stock this year is expected to be lower than usual. Advancing the crushing season will help fresh sugar reach the market earlier and may help keep prices under control,” the official said.
The official added that Centre is also considering tighter monitoring of sugar sales. “Instead of a monthly release quota, mills may be asked to sell their quota within 15 days. The idea is to ensure better market regulation and prevent supply disruptions,” he said.
Retail sugar prices are currently hovering around Rs 55/kg-mark, nearly Rs 10 higher than levels seen before prices surged earlier this month. Centre has already allowed import of 10 lakh tonne of raw sugar to improve availability.
Industry observers said supplies remain tight and a sharp fall in prices is unlikely immediately. The countyry currently has an estimated 35 lakh tonnes of sugar stock, but consumption is expected to increase substantially during the festival period. Ganeshotsav is approaching. Later, during Navaratra, which starts on Oct 11, the demand for sugar rises from the eastern states. Then there is Dasara and Diwali. Experts say that to ensure adequate sugar availability, a decision to advance the crushing season is likely to be taken.
Last season highlighted the supply challenge. Although sugar cane was available on around 16.4 lakh hectares, crushing lasted only 104 days. The season produced about 99 lakh tonne of sugar.
Sugar expert Vijay Autade cautioned that acreage alone does not determine sugar output. “What matters is how much cane ultimately reaches the mills, the yield per hectare and sugar recovery from the cane,” he said.
Autade said rainfall deficits in parts of Solapur and Marathwada, which account for nearly 40% of Maharashtra’s sugar production, could affect recovery rates. “Many farmers in flood-hit areas planted sugar cane late last year. By Nov, some of that crop may not be mature enough to deliver optimum sugar recovery,” he said.
He added that a portion of the crop would also be diverted for jaggery production and fresh planting, reducing the quantity available for crushing.
To Read more about Sugar Industry continue reading Agriinsite.com
Source : The Times Of India
