Most Sugar Mills Shut Down Due to Sugarcane Shortage

17-Apr-2026 03:46 PM

New Delhi. The season for sugarcane crushing and sugar production is likely to conclude earlier than scheduled this year, as sugar mills are not receiving an adequate supply of sugarcane. As of April 15 this year,

only 21 sugar mills across the country remained operational, while 520 units had already ceased operations. In comparison, during the same period last year, 35 units were engaged in sugarcane crushing, and 499 mills had shut down.

The Union Ministry of Agriculture has projected that sugarcane production for the current marketing season (October–September) of 2025–26 will rise to a new record high. If government statistics are to be believed, the question arises: where, then, has this massive stock of sugarcane gone?

While sugar production was initially projected to increase by 18–20 percent, the actual growth has amounted to a mere 8 percent. Furthermore, the diversion of sugarcane for ethanol production has been curtailed, and it is now anticipated that all sugar mills will have ceased operations by the end of the current month (April 2026).