Sugar Production Reaches 12.85 Lakh Tonnes as 184 Mills Begin Operations
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Sugar Production Reaches 12.85 Lakh Tonnes as 184 Mills Begin Operations
India’s 2026–27 sugar season has started on a positive note, with 184 sugar mills commencing crushing operations as of November 5, 2026, compared to 154 mills during the same period last year, according to the Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA).
Maharashtra Leads Sugar Production
The country has produced 12.85 lakh tonnes of sugar, significantly higher than 3.20 lakh tonnes recorded during the corresponding period last year.
Maharashtra is leading the early-season production with 136 operational mills, which have produced 10.78 lakh tonnes of sugar. Last year, 101 mills had produced 1.23 lakh tonnes during the same period.
State-wise Sugar Mill Operations
Maharashtra: 136 mills; 10.78 lakh tonnes of sugar.
Uttar Pradesh: 19 mills; 0.20 lakh tonnes.
Karnataka: 7 mills; 0.90 lakh tonnes.
Tamil Nadu: 7 mills; 0.64 lakh tonnes.
Gujarat: 12 mills have started operations.
Telangana: 3 mills have started crushing.
Sugar Production Expected to Increase
ISMA Director General Deepak Ballani stated that around 36 lakh tonnes of carryover stock from the previous season, along with fresh production, puts India in a comfortable position to meet domestic sugar requirements.
Crushing operations are expected to expand further as more mills in Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka begin operations in the coming days.