Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) is likely to revise downward the country's total sugar production estimate to around 24.5 million tonne in 2010-11 sugar season because of lower output in Uttar Pradesh than it's earlier projection.
In the beginning of the current season (October-September), the industry body ISMA had projected total sugar output at 25.5 million tonne. But the forecast was revised downward to 25 million tonne later.
According to sources, ISMA is expected to lower further India's sugar output at about 24.5 million tonne, on par with the government's estimate for this season, at its meeting of Committee members scheduled on May 13 in Bangalore.
The production in 2010-11 season ending September is likely to remain between 24.2-24.5 million tonne, they said.
The industry body may revise the production forecast downward as UP -- the country's second biggest sugar-producing state -- could not touch the production estimate of 6.5 million tonne due to poor yields, sources said.
Mills in Uttar Pradesh have been able to produce only 5.9 million tonne of sugar till April of this season, as against the earlier estimate of 6.5 million tonne.
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Between October and April of the 2010-11 season, mills in the country have produced a total of 22.6 million tonne of sugar, according to ISMA data.
Sugar production in Maharashtra, the country's largest sugar producing state, touched 8.3 million tonne till April-end of this season. Mills in the state are continuing the crushing operation and production is expected to touch the target of 9.2 million tonne this season.
Sugar production in India, the world's second biggest sugar producer and the largest consumer, is expected to rebound this season after a gap of two years. In 2009-10, sugar production was around 19 million tonne.
The country's annual demand is pegged at 22 million tonne.