New Delhi: Sugar production in the country has declined 22.67 percent so far in the current sugar season 2019-20 (October-September) as compared to the last year.
Indian sugar mills have produced 169.85 lakh tonnes of sugar as on February 15, 2020, in the ongoing season as compared to 219.66 lakh tonnes produced on the corresponding date of last year, said Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) in a release on Tuesday.
As per market reports, about 16 lakh tonnes of sugar have been exported from India and about 32 lakh tonnes of contracts have been signed for exports, said the apex sugar Industry body. According to ISMA, out of 449 sugar mills that had started crushing for 2019-20, 23 sugar mills have stopped crushing operation due to the non-availability of sugarcane. Last year, 521 sugar mills had operated, out of which 19 had stopped crushing on the same corresponding date last year. Sugar production has decreased considerably in Maharashtra, the second-largest producer of sweetener in the country.
As per the data compiled by ISMA, Maharashtra’s mills have produced 43-38 lakh tonnes of sugar this year while they had produced 82.98 lakh tonnes in the corresponding period last year.
Out of 143 mills that operated this season, eight sugar mills have stopped their crushing. Last year 193 mills had operated i.e. 50 sugar mills remained closed in Maharashtra due to fewer canes this year. (IANS)