Tamil Nadu’s contribution to the national sugar production of 14.2 million tonne dipped 11.38 per cent to about 1.6 million in 2008-2009, as compared to the previous year.
According to the policy note of the industries department presented in the state Assembly on Monday, the percentage was less than that of the previous year, which stood at 21.41 per cent. Of the state’s total sugar production of about 1.6 million tonne, private sector sugar mills contributed a little over 1.1 million tonne, it said.
The policy noted attributed the drop to cropping pattern prices of competitive crops, in addition to drought conditions in the command areas of individual sugar mills. Due to the lower production and depleting sugar stocks, the average realisation from sugar sales stood at Rs 2,025 per quintal in April-June 2009, compared to the sales realisation of Rs 1,505 per quintal during 2008-2009.