UP, Maharashtra sugar mills start crushing cane

PUNE: India’s 2018-19 sugar production has started gaining momentum across the country as one-fourth of the sugar mills from Uttar Pradesh and 45% from Maharashtra having already started crushing sugarcane.

29 sugar mills had started crushing operations in UP by Monday evening and another seven are expected to begin operations by Tuesday morning.

A total of 121 sugar mills will be operational in the state this year. “The sugar mills from UP will begin their crushing operations on time by November 25. However, the average yield of cane will be lower by 10% due to excessive rainfall in the state, while it will be down by 15% in the pockets affected by hailstorm,” said an official of the UP government.


Barring Kolhapur region, sugar mills from the rest of Maharashtra, the second largest producer of the sweetener, have started sugar production before Diwali. About 80 of the 180 sugar mills have become operational.

“Mills from Marathwada region have been operational over the last 10 to 12 days. However, the yields are lower by about 25% to 30%,” said BB Thombre, chairman of Natural Sugar and Allied Industries.