 "India 2013-14 sugar production estimated at 23.7 MT")
Drought in Maharashtra, India’s biggest sugar producing state is likely to pull down India’s overall sugar production in 2013-14 crop season that starts from October 2013 by 5% to 23.7 million tonnes as compared to 25 million tonnes in 2012-13, a preliminary estimate done by Indian Sugar Mills Association showed (ISMA).
According to ISMA, sugarcane acreage in 2013-14 season is expected to be around 5.15 million hectares, almost 1.52% less than last year, mainly due to drought in Maharashtra. In Uttar Pradesh, ISMA said that despite huge sugarcane arrears, farmers will still be interested to sow the crop because of high prices in comparison to wheat and paddy. Sugarcane acreage in UP is expected to 3.1% higher than last year. UP along with Maharashtra contribute more than 80% of the total sugar produced in the country.
In Maharashtra, sugarcane acreage is expected to fall by 12.5% in 2013-14 mainly due to drought in main growing areas. Acreage is also down by almost 8% in Karnataka due to low rains. ISMA said that the opening sugar balance for 2013-14 season will be around 8 million tonne, which is around 2 million tonnes more than usual opening balance. EoM