Sugar recovery in Maharashtra has declined over 1 per cent so far this season on untimely rain during November which hit sucrose content in the matured crop.
Sugar recovery in the state declined to 8.9 per cent during the first month of the crushing season this year, as against 10.2 per cent during the same time last year, according to the data compiled by the Maharashtra State Federation of Co-operative Sugar Factories, the apex trade body representing about 175 sugar factories in the state.
As on November 26, 121 mills started crushing, as against 135 mills on the same date last year. These mills have crushed 8.2 million tonnes of sugarcane as on the date under consideration, against 7.16 million tonnes same time last year.
Despite the quantity of crushed cane increasing by over one million tonnes, the total sugar output in the state remained almost rangebound at 730,000 tonnes as compared to 735,000 tonnes a year ago.
Rainfall during the crop maturing period increases humidity, which adversely affects sucrose content in the sugarcane, thereby, declining recovery. However, sunny weather during last few days have raised hopes of a better recovery, said Ajit Chougule, Secretary of the Federation.
Sugar output in Maharashtra is estimated at 4.6-4.7 million tonnes, same as last year, with season’s recovery at 11.5 per cent. The state is estimated to produce 40 million tonnes of sugarcane.