Archive · 21 Jan 2026
Sugar production up 22% but industry faces financial stress
Sugar production in India has gone up by 22% compared to last year.
This is because more sugar mills are working, and they are crushing more sugarcane.
However, the people who make sugar are worried because the price of sugarcane is going up, but the price of sugar is not.
This is making it hard for them to pay the farmers and keep their businesses running.
Some states like Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra have made more sugar this year.
The industry wants the government to change the minimum price of sugar to help them.
All-India sugar production has increased by 22% to 159.09 lakh tonnes as of January 15.
The number of operational sugar mills has increased to 518 from 500 last year.
The industry is facing financial stress due to the rising cost of sugarcane and declining sugar prices.
Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra have seen significant increases in sugar production.
The Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) has called for an early revision of the Minimum Selling Price (MSP) of sugar.
- Who
- Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA)
- What
- Sugar production has increased by 22%, but the industry is facing financial stress due to rising cane prices and declining sugar prices.
- When
- As of January 15
- Where
- All-India, with specific mentions of Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra
- Why
- The increase in production is due to more operational sugar mills and higher crushing rates, but the financial stress is due to the mismatch between cane prices and sugar realizations.
- Total sugar production
- 159.09 lakh tonnes (as of Jan 15)
- Increase in production
- 22% compared to last year
- Operational sugar mills
- 518 (compared to 500 last year)
- Minimum Selling Price (MSP) of sugar
- Needs early revision
- Agreed cane price
- Rs 380 per quintal (for early variety)
- Ex-mill sugar prices
- Rs 3,550 per quintal (Maharashtra and Karnataka)
- Uttar Pradesh sugar production
- 46.05 lakh tonnes (8% increase)
- Karnataka sugar production
- 13% increase compared to last year
- Maharashtra sugar production
- 64.50 lakh tonnes (51% increase)
- Operational mills in Maharashtra
- 204 (compared to 196 last year)
