iGrain India – The sugarcane yield in Maharashtra and Karnataka, two of India’s largest sugar-producing states, is expected to decline due to a combination of factors.
In western Maharashtra, the sugarcane crop is facing pest issues, particularly infestations of white grub, as well as red rot disease in some regions, both of which are likely to reduce productivity.
Additionally, the crop’s growth has been hindered by insufficient sunlight during the monsoon season from June to September, which affected its overall development in both Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Industry experts suggest that the sugarcane yield could drop by 10-15 tonnes per hectare compared to the normal levels. A sugar broker from Kolhapur noted that the sugarcane crop appears weaker than last year, exacerbating concerns about a lower yield.
In Karnataka, despite an increase in the number of operational sugar mills, the sugarcane crop has also been affected by white grub infestation in districts like Belgaum, Vijay Nagar, and Haveri.
Furthermore, a lack of adequate water during the summer months has further stunted the growth of the crop. Consequently, the sugarcane production in Karnataka, which reached 56.5 million tonnes in the 2023-24 season, may drop to around 50 million tonnes in the 2024-25 season, representing a potential decline of 5-10 percent in yield.
