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The country’s sugar output for the new season 2018-19 starting October may rise by a tenth to a new high of around 350-355 lakh tonnes (lt) on increase in acreage and higher yields in the key producing States of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, a trade body said.
The Indian Sugar Mills Association, in its preliminary projections has pegged the total sugarcane acreage at 54.35 lakh hectares (lh) in 2018-19 season, which is about 8 per cent higher than the previous year.
As a result, the production of the sweetener is estimated to be between 350 and 355 lt for 2018-19 season. “This is about 28-33 lt higher than current season’s 322.5 lt and assuming normal rainfall,” ISMA said in a statement.
Better yield in UP
In Uttar Pradesh, the largest producer, the cane area is marginally up at 23.40 lh against previous season’s 23.30 lh. However, ISMA is expecting a better yield due to further increase in area under the high yielding cane variety Co0238.
As a result, sugar production may range between 130 and 135 lt, higher than the previous season’s 120.5 lt. Similarly, in Maharashtra the cane area is seen up by a fourth at around 11.42 lh (9.15 lh). Sugar production in 2018-19 is, therefore, estimated to be around 110-115 lt (107.15 lt).
Karnataka & TamilNadu
The cane area has also increased in Karnataka on account of adequate rainfall during June-September 2017. The area under cane is expected to be about 5.02 lh (4.15 lh), while sugar ouput is estimated to be around 44.80 lt (36.54 lt). The sugarcane acreage in Tamil Nadu in 2018-19 season has increased to 2.60 lh (2.01 lh). Sugar production is seen at around 9 lt in 2018-19 season (6 lt).
Sugar production in the current 2017-18 season till June 30 is estimated at about 321.95 lt. Another 0.5-0.6 lt is likely to be produced in the special season till September 2018 in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, increasing the total output to 322.5 lt.
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