India's sugar production expected at 320 lakh tons

Hence, sugar production is expected to rise by 48.13 lakh tonnes or 17.69 percent from 272 lakh tonnes in the current season 2019-20. However, the industry body expects that higher diversion of cane juice and B-molasses to ethanol will reduce sugar production by 15 lakh tons in the next season, as compared to the 8 lakh tons diverted this year. But even the production of 305 lakh tons of sugar in the country will increase the stockpiles as the balance stocks of the sweetener at the end of the current season are estimated at 115 lakh tons.

Based on the satellite images procured in the latter part of June 2020, the total acreage under sugarcane in the country is estimated to be around 52.28 lakh hectares in 2020-21 SS, which is about 8 percent higher than 2019-20 sugar season's cane area of around 48.41 lakh hectares, said ISMA in a statement. Taking this into consideration, the industry body estimates production of 320.13 lakh tons of sugar in the season 2020-21. This is assuming normal rainfall and other optimum conditions during the remaining period.

Uttar Pradesh, the leading sugarcane producing state in the country, is estimated to have sugarcane area at 22.92 lakh hectares, as against 23.21 lakh ha. in 2019-20 SS, i.e. a marginal decrease by about 1 percent. ISMA is expecting a marginal increase in yield as well as sugar recovery in 2020-21 SS, owing to good overall standing crop condition and continued replacement of cane variety by high yielding and high sugared cane varieties in more areas. Thus, sugar production in U.P. in 2020-21 SS is estimated to be around 123.06 lakh tons. (IANS)

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