Drought, pests set to cut India's sugar output by almost 3 million tons

National yields likely dropped about 10 per cent due to erratic rain across the country

Persistent dry weather and pest attacks are set to cut India’s sugar output from a record this year even after farmers in the world’s second-largest producer increased plantings.

Production may total 28.9 million metric tons in the year that began Oct. 1, according to SGS SA, a researcher hired by Bloomberg to survey farmers during September and October in the main growing regions. That compares with the reduced estimate of 32 million tons made last month by the Indian Sugar Mills Association. The National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Ltd. forecast production at 32.4 million tons.

“Sugarcane, with its lush vegetative growth,