Maharashtra issues crushing licences to 210 sugar mills
Maharashtra has issued crushing licences to 210 sugar mills—104 cooperative and 106 private—for the 2026-27 season, with mills permitted to start from October 15. Despite rainfall-related sugarcane concerns and farmer opposition to early crushing, mills may begin before or after the date, with the Sugar Commissioner preferring October 15.
Kolhapur : The Maharashtra government has issued crushing licences to 210 sugar mills for the upcoming sugarcane crushing season, including 104 cooperative and 106 private mills that have paid their full Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) to farmers.
The State has permitted sugar mills to commence the crushing season from October 15. However, some mills in Kolhapur, Sangli and Satara districts are likely to start operations before the scheduled date.
The deadline for submitting online applications for crushing licences ended on September 30. A total of 210 mills submitted applications between September 1 and September 30, comprising 104 cooperative and 106 private sugar mills.
The development comes amid concerns over sugarcane growth in several parts of the State due to inadequate rainfall. Farmer organisations have opposed an early start to the crushing season, citing concerns over the availability and maturity of sugarcane.
Although October 15 has been fixed as the start date, mills can commence crushing either before or after the date. Sugar Commissioner Dr Sanjay Kolte has appealed to mills to preferably begin crushing on October 15.
Following the directions issued at the ministerial committee meeting held on September 9, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis approved allowing cooperative and private sugar mills to start the crushing season on or before October 15. The licences have subsequently been issued to the eligible mills.
Speaking to ChiniMandi, Kolte said licences had been issued to cooperative and private sugar mills across Maharashtra.
“There is no compulsion to start the crushing season early. Sugar mills can start operations before or after October 15,” he said.
The Sugar Commissioner said his office was taking necessary steps to ensure that the crushing season proceeds smoothly.
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Source : ChiniMandi
