COMMODITY
India's sugar production likely to rise 13% in 2025-26 sugar season: AISTA
Jan-30-2026

Industry body -- All India Sugar Trade Association (AISTA), in its estimate for the season, has said that India's sugar production is likely to rise 13 per cent to 29.6 million tonnes in the 2025-26 season ending September, excluding diversion for ethanol, but exports will remain below the permitted quota at 8 lakh tonnes. AISTA said net sugar production would exceed the 26.2 million tonnes produced in 2024-25.

The association said that diversion of sugar for ethanol production is expected to be lower than the 3.4 million tonnes of the previous season due to logistical issues. With opening stocks of 4.7 million tonnes and net output of 29.6 million tonnes, total sugar availability would be 34.3 million tonnes, higher than the estimated domestic consumption of 28.7 million tonnes. While the government has permitted sugar exports of 1.5 million tonnes, AISTA estimates actual shipments at 8 lakh tonnes for 2025-26. Closing stocks are projected at 4.8 million tonnes. 

Production in Maharashtra, the country's top sugar-producing state, is estimated to rise to 10.81 million tonnes from 8.1 million tonnes in the previous season. Output in Uttar Pradesh, the second-largest producer, is seen at 9.41 million tonnes, up from 9.3 million tonnes, while Karnataka, the third-largest state, is expected to produce 4.91 million tonnes, up from 4.3 million tonnes. 

AISTA noted that crushing in Maharashtra is expected to continue until end-February but may extend for three mills each in Pune and Solapur districts, and most mills in Jalna and Latur. Higher-than-usual diversion to gur units has been observed due to strong demand for gur and jaggery, as well as higher payments. In Uttar Pradesh, yields of the ratoon crop are down 15-20 per cent in Saharanpur and Bijnor districts due to heavy rains, though sucrose recovery is likely to improve to 10.9 per cent from 10.65 per cent in the previous season. 

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