Pune: The latest weekly data released by the Union Agriculture Ministry show that the total area under sugarcane cultivation at the national level has declined by 40,000 hectares, from 5.887 million hectares last year to 5.847 million hectares this year.
Although the decline in acreage is not very significant, the damage to the crop caused by deficient monsoon rainfall in leading sugarcane-producing states such as Maharashtra and Karnataka is a serious concern. Maharashtra is the country’s leading sugar-producing state and the second-largest producer of sugarcane, while Karnataka ranks third in both sugarcane and sugar production.
In Uttar Pradesh, the country’s largest sugarcane-producing state, heavy rainfall in recent days has created a severe risk of flooding in several areas. Waterlogging in fields is also expected to adversely affect the sugarcane crop. In Bihar, excessive rainfall, flooding, and waterlogging are likewise likely to impact sugarcane cultivation.
The 2026–27 sugarcane crushing season is scheduled to begin on October 1, although actual crushing is expected to commence only after October 15. In some areas, the average sugarcane yield and sugar recovery rate are likely to decline.
