April-Jan 15 sugar production stands at 104.8 lakh tonnes

During the current 2016-17 SS, sugar mills in the country have produced 104.80 lac tons of sugar till 15th January 2017, 5.92 lac tons less than the sugar production of last year on the corresponding date. 

As on  January 15, 2017, 399 sugar mills are operating whereas in 2015-16 SS, 492 sugar mills were in operation on 15th January 2016.

In Maharashtra, a total of 149 sugar mills started crushing for 2016-17 SS.  Till 15th January 2017, these 149 sugar mills have produced 31.43 lac tons of sugar, as compared to 172 mills who produced 43.79 lac tons last year same period.   

Out of 149 mills, 56 sugar mills have closed their operations by 15th January and remaining 93 mills are operating.  Most of the sugar mills which have closed in Maharashtra are from drought affected districts namely, Solapur, Ahmednagar, Marathwada region and parts of Pune.  

Notably, the sugar mills in three major districts which will contribute about 40% of the State’s sugar production this year, namely, Kolhapur, Satara and Sangli continue to crush sugarcane in full swing to continue their operations.