Sugar production in India has seen a sharp decline of 13.66% in the current season (2024-25) compared to the previous season (2023-24), according to data from the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories. From October 1, 2024, to January 15, 2025, India’s total sugar production reached 130.55 lakh tonnes, which is 20.65 lakh tonnes less than the 151.20 lakh tonnes produced during the same period last year.

This decrease is attributed to several factors, including the reduction in the number of operational sugar mills and a decline in sugarcane crushing. The fall in production is observed across all major sugar-producing states:

• Maharashtra: From 52.80 lakh tonnes to 43.05 lakh tonnes
• Uttar Pradesh: From 46.10 lakh tonnes to 42.85 lakh tonnes
• Karnataka: From 31.00 lakh tonnes to 27.10 lakh tonnes
• Gujarat: From 4.70 lakh tonnes to 3.70 lakh tonnes
• Tamil Nadu: From 3.30 lakh tonnes to 1.30 lakh tonnes

Other states like Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana are also experiencing weaker sugar production.

The period from November to January is typically the peak season for sugarcane crushing, but this year's weak production could continue due to decreasing sucrose content in the cane as temperatures rise. The Federation has projected a total sugar production of 270 lakh tonnes for the entire 2024-25 season, which would be a 15.36% decline from last season's production of 319 lakh tonnes. This decrease is expected to affect key producing states, including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu.