The Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) is likely to revise downward the country’s total sugar production estimate to around 24.5 million tonnes in 2010-11 sugar season because of lower output in Uttar Pradesh than its earlier projection.

During the beginning of the current season (October-September), the ISMA had projected the total output at 25.5 mt. Later the forecast was revised downward to 25 mt.

According to sources, ISMA is expected to lower further the output at about 24.5 mt on par with the government’s estimate for this season, at its meeting of committee members scheduled on May 13 in Bangalore.

Production in 2010-11 season ending September is likely to remain between 24.2-24.5 mt.

The industry body may revise the production forecast downward as Uttar Pradesh — the country’s second biggest sugar producing state — could not touch the production estimate of 6.5 mt due to poor yields, they said.

Mills in Uttar Pradesh have been able to produce only 5.9 mt till April this season against the earlier estimate of 6.5 mt.

Between October and April of 2010-11 season, mills in the country have produced a total of 22.6 mt, according to ISMA data.

Production in Maharashtra, the country’s largest sugar producing state, touched 8.3 mt till April-end of this season. Mills in the state are continuing the crushing operation and the production is expected to touch the target of 9.2 mt season.

Production in India, the world’s second biggest sugar producer and the largest consumer, is expected to rebound this season after a gap of two years. In 2009-10, the production was around 19 mt. The country’s annual demand is pegged at 22 mt.

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