112 lakh tonnes of sugar output estimated in upcoming crushing season in Maharashtra; millers disagree, see production below 90 lakh tonnes
Maharashtra’s 2025-26 sugar production is projected at 112 lakh tonnes, with 15 lakh tonnes diverted to ethanol. Industry experts dispute the estimate, forecasting 85–90 lakh tonnes due to lower cane yields and recovery, while mills seek soft loans and higher sugar MSP.
Kolhapur: Maharashtra may produce around 112 lakh tonnes of sugar in the upcoming 2025-26 crushing season, with nearly 15 lakh tonnes expected to be diverted for ethanol production, leaving net sugar availability of about 97 lakh tonnes, estimates prepared by state govt and a private agency showed on Thursday.
The projection is based on an estimated sugar cane yield of 81 tonnes per hectare and sugar recovery of 11.25%. Maharashtra, one of the country’s top two sugar-producing states, has permitted mills to begin crushing from Oct 15 in an effort to ease concerns over a potential sugar shortage.
The estimates have, however, drawn sharp criticism from industry experts and millers, who argued that the projections were overly optimistic. Industry expert Vijay Autade said lower cane yields and weaker sugar recovery would significantly impact production.
“The estimates are unrealistic. Delays in cultivation will reduce cane yields, while sugar recovery will also be lower than what govt expects. We are looking at a decline of around five tonnes of cane per hectare. As a result, sugar production is unlikely to exceed 90 lakh tonnes. Moreover, with sugar prices remaining firm, mills may prefer sugar production over ethanol diversion,” Autade said.
Last season, Maharashtra’s sugar mills operated for around 104 days and produced approximately 104 lakh tonnes of sugar after ethanol diversion, making the current projections a subject of debate within the industry.
Harshvardhan Patil, president of National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Mills, predicted an even lower output. “Mills are unlikely to operate for more than 80 days and sugar production may not cross 85 lakh tonnes. We have informed govt about the ground reality,” Patil told TOI.
He said millers had sought a soft-loan package to meet harvesting, transportation, salary and maintenance expenses. According to Patil, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has assured the industry that govt will place a proposal before the state cabinet and explore providing guarantees for such loans.
Patil reiterated the industry’s long-pending demand to raise the minimum selling price (MSP) of sugar to Rs 45 per kg, saying it had remained unchanged for the past eight years. He further urged govt to crack down on illegal jaggery units, which he said distorted the cane market.
Millers acknowledged that an early start to crushing could affect revenues, but said competitive pressures had left them with little choice. Shamrao alias Balasaheb Patil, chairperson of Sahyadri Cooperative Sugar Factory in Karad, said sugar prices were likely to strengthen further. “Sugar prices are expected to rise from April. We have already seen an upward trend since July, driven by expectations of lower production,” he said.
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Source : The Times of India
