Maharashtra's Sugar Industry Concerned Over Declining Sugarcane Yield

13-Jul-2026 11:31 AM

Pune: Maharashtra, the country's leading sugar-producing state, is not witnessing the expected rise in sugarcane yields, forcing crushing units to struggle for raw material supplies. Due to a severe shortage of sugarcane, sugar production in Maharashtra had dropped significantly (to around 8 million tonnes) during the 2024-25 marketing season.

Although production increased by approximately 1.8–1.9 million tonnes in the 2025-26 season, it still lagged far behind the 2023-24 season.

Now, uncertainty surrounds sugarcane and sugar production for the 2026-27 marketing season (October–September). High mill-delivery sugar prices enabled Maharashtra's units to clear almost all outstanding dues to sugarcane growers, encouraging farmers to expand their sugarcane acreage this time. However, doubts remain regarding weather and monsoon conditions.

After remaining active in the state during the first few days of the current month, the monsoon has now weakened. A significant rainfall deficit had also been observed there earlier in June. The weather during the remainder of July and throughout August will prove crucial for the sugarcane crop, which will, in turn, impact sugar production.