India’s sugar output jumps 22pc to 15.9 mn tonnes by mid January: ISMA

Key Highlights

• The sugar season runs from October to September.
• Production in top producing state Maharashtra rose 51 per cent to 6.45 million tonnes from 4.27 million tonnes a year ago, while output in Uttar Pradesh increased to 4.6 million tonnes from 4.28 million tonnes.
• Karnataka’s output rose to 3.1 million tonnes from 2.75 million tonnes in the year-ago period.
• “India’s sugar sector has made steady progress so far in the 2025-26 season, supported by adequate sugarcane availability, improved field-level productivity, and smoother operations across major producing regions,” ISMA said.
• However, the industry body warned that rising cane prices and falling sugar realisations were squeezing mill finances and delaying cane payments to farmers.