Season 2024-25: 82 sugar mills conclude crushing operations in Maharashtra
Maharashtra’s sugarcane crushing season is nearing its end, with 82 mills shutting operations across major regions. Sugar production has dropped to 75.7 lakh tonnes, down from 94.4 lakh tonnes last season. Lower yields, ethanol diversion, and delayed crushing have contributed to the decline. Currently, 118 mills are still operational, with the sugar recovery rate falling to 9.36%.
The sugarcane crushing season in Maharashtra has entered its final phase, with around 82 mills having ended their operations. These mills are located in the Kolhapur, Solapur, Nanded, Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Ahilyanagar regions.
According to a report from the Sugar Commissionerate, as of March 2, a total of 82 sugar mills have concluded their operations in Maharashtra. This includes 39 mills in Solapur, 14 mills in Kolhapur, 9 mills in Pune, 8 mills in Nanded, 8 mills in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and 4 mills in the Ahilyanagar region. During the same period last season, only 33 mills had closed in the state.
Sugar production in Maharashtra for the ongoing 2024-25 season has reached 757.7 lakh quintals (approximately 75.7 lakh tonnes), marking a decline from the 944.04 lakh quintals produced during the same period last season. Currently, 118 mills are engaged in sugarcane crushing operations, while 82 mills have concluded their crushing season. As of March 2, statewide mills have crushed 809.15 lakh tonnes of sugarcane, compared to 941.01 lakh tonnes crushed during the same period last season. The state’s overall sugar recovery rate stands at 9.36%, lower than the 10.03% rate achieved during the same period last season.
According to industry experts, mills have ended operations earlier this season due to low yields and increased crushing capacity.
Sugar production in the state is lower compared to the previous season due to delays in the commencement of the crushing season, the diversion of sugarcane toward ethanol production, and a reduction in yield.
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Source : Chinimandi
