The sugarcane crushing season has picked up pace in India, with sugar mills in major states starting operations. According to data released by the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Limited (NFCSF), as of December 15, 2024, crushing for the 2024-25 season is underway in 472 sugar mills across the country. A total of 719.24 lakh tonnes of sugarcane has been crushed, resulting in the production of 60.85 lakh tonnes of sugar.
In comparison, during the same period in the previous season, 501 sugar mills had crushed 850.92 lakh tonnes of sugarcane, yielding 74.20 lakh tonnes of sugar.
he sugar recovery rate in the country is lower than the previous season. As of December 15, 2024, the average sugar recovery rate stands at 8.46%, compared to 8.72% during the same period in the previous season.
In terms of state-wise sugar production, 183 mills in Maharashtra have crushed 207.41 lakh tonnes of sugarcane, producing 16.80 lakh tonnes of sugar.
In Uttar Pradesh, all sugar mills have commenced crushing operations. A total of 120 sugar mills have crushed 257.87 lakh tonnes of sugarcane, yielding 22.95 lakh tonnes of sugar. In Karnataka, the third-largest sugar-producing state, three more sugar mills are operating compared to the previous season. Currently, 76 sugar mills are in operation, up from 73 mills during the same period last season. Sugar production in the state has reached 13.50 lakh tonnes after crushing 162.65 lakh tonnes of sugarcane.
According to the NFCSF, sugar production for the 2024-25 season is estimated to reach 280 lakh tonnes.
