GeneralTop StoryTop StoryLatest News
Maharashtra Sugar Output Likely to Dip Amid Drought; Ethanol Production May Drop 30%
Sentiment: NeutralHigh Priority
What Happened?
Maharashtra's sugar production is expected to decrease by nearly 10 lakh metric tonnes this season due to irregular rainfall. Ethanol production may also decline by around 30%.
Key points
- Sugar production in Maharashtra is projected to be between 89 lakh and 90 lakh metric tonnes this season, down from 99 lakh last year.
- Sugarcane crushing is expected to fall to around 900 lakh metric tonnes from approximately 1,045 lakh metric tonnes last season.
- The average sugarcane crushing season may shorten to about 90 days from 104 days last year.
- Ethanol production capacity in Maharashtra is around 296 crore litres, but actual production depends on raw material availability and government policies.
- 21 sugar factories still owe farmers a total of Rs 119 crore, with some factories agreeing to clear dues by October 31.
Key insights
- The reduction in sugarcane availability may lead to operational challenges for sugar mills.
- Policy restrictions on ethanol procurement could limit production options for sugar mills.
- The outstanding payments to farmers highlight ongoing financial pressures within the sugar industry.
Why it matters
The decline in sugar and ethanol production could impact farmers' incomes and the state's economy.
Tags
Entities
Maharashtra· StateDr Sanjay Kolte· PersonSwabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana· Organization
Source
India Today
