Maharashtra to start sugarcane crushing season from October 15
Maharashtra will begin the 2026-27 sugarcane crushing season on October 15, earlier than usual, to boost sugar supplies and ease festive price pressures. The move follows rising prices but has raised concerns over lower sugar recovery and potential losses for mills.
The Maharashtra government has decided to start the state’s 2026-27 sugarcane crushing season from October 15, bringing forward the annual operation as sugar prices climb and festive demand is expected to rise.
The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at Sahyadri Guest House, according to people familiar with the development. Cooperation Minister Babasaheb Patil, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, former minister Dilip Walse Patil, legislators and representatives of various sugar industry associations attended the meeting.
Speaking to ChiniMandi, Maharashtra Sugarcane Commissioner Dr. Sanjay Kolte stated that the sugarcane crushing season will start from October 15.
Sugar prices have risen sharply in recent weeks amid concerns over domestic availability. Retail prices reportedly touched Rs 70–75 per kg at some places in August, putting additional pressure on household budgets.
The price rise comes ahead of a series of major festivals, including Ganeshotsav, Navratri, Dussehra and Diwali, when demand for sugar typically increases. Against this backdrop, the government has decided to bring forward the start of the crushing season, which normally begins around November.
The move is aimed at ensuring that fresh sugar reaches the market earlier and helping contain price pressures during the festive period. Maharashtra, one of India’s largest sugar-producing states, plays an important role in determining overall domestic sugar availability.
However, the decision to start crushing early has raised concerns among sugar mills and farmers. Industry representatives had earlier argued that an early start could result in financial losses, particularly because sugarcane harvested and crushed at the beginning of the season may have lower sugar recovery.
The industry has also been seeking clarity on how potential losses arising from an early start would be addressed.
With the new crushing season now scheduled to begin on October 15, mills are expected to prepare their operations accordingly. The government hopes that early crushing will increase the flow of sugar into the market and ease supply concerns during the crucial festive period.
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Source : ChiniMandi
