Maharashtra sugarcane farmers seek higher prices after sugar rally

Pune: Sugarcane farmers in Maharashtra have started agitating for a higher price for cane crushed during the 2025-26 season after sugar prices rose more than 40% in recent months.

Farmer organisations, including the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, said sugar mills have benefited from higher prices and should share the additional profits with growers. Several farmers' associations have submitted their demands to the state sugar commissionerate. Sugarcane farmers across Maharashtra, the top sugar producing state, are demanding higher payment for the sugarcane they sold to the sugar mills in 2025.