India’s sugar output dropped by 4.5 per cent to 25.14 million tonnes in 2012-13 marketing year that ended last month, the Indian Sugar Mills Association said today.

However, domestic production is sufficient to meet the local demand, which increased by 3.6 per cent to 22.8 million tonnes during the same period, it added.

The production stood at 26.34 m in 2011-12 marketing year (October-September).

According to ISMA, the 2012-13 marketing year has now ended with 25.14 mt of production.

Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, the country’s top two sugar producing states, produced 7.99 mt and 7.48 mt, respectively.

Sugar production during 2012-13 marketing year stood at 3.46 mt in Karnataka, 1.96 mt in Tamil Nadu and 0.99 mt in Andhra Pradesh, the statement said.

The country’s overall output fell due to lower recovery and less sugarcane crushing on account of insufficient rains in key growing states of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

About 250.7 mt of sugarcane was crushed in 2012-13 against 257 mt in the previous year. Similarly, sugar recovery was down at 10.03 per cent from 10.25 per cent.

ISMA said mills will start the 2013-14 marketing year with an opening balance of 8.85 mt of sugar.

comment COMMENT NOW