India’s sugar production up at a record high of 8.5 lakh tonnes in October

India's sugar production reached a record high of 8.5 lakh tonnes in October, largely fueled by mill activity in Maharashtra. October's production stood at 7.20 lakh tonnes, a stark contrast to the 1 lt produced in the same month last year. This surge in production is anticipated to enhance availability in November, as the remaining sugar mills in the country commence crushing operations within the next week.

As of October, 152 mills had already started operations, up from just 31 in the previous October. Sugarcane crushing during October amounted to 105.43 lakh tonnes, a significant increase from the 11.84 lt recorded a year prior. The all-India sugar recovery rate for October was 8.04 percent, slightly lower than the 8.36 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Despite 3 mills commencing crushing in Uttar Pradesh, the state, which produces the most sugarcane in the country, did not record any sugar production in October. Maharashtra, however, saw 123 sugar mills start crushing operations, with none in October 2025. The recovery rate in Maharashtra improved to 7.90 percent in October, up from below 6 percent when 20-30 mills began crushing.

In Karnataka, 7 mills produced 80,000 tonnes of sugar from 8.33 lakh tonnes of sugarcane, with a recovery rate of 9.6 percent, compared to 17 mills in the previous October, producing 70,000 tonnes of sugar with a 9.9 percent recovery. Farmers in the state are protesting for a higher price for sugarcane, an issue that was temporarily resolved with the state government's intervention.

The Centre determines the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP), while some states also set a State-Advised Price (SAP) each season. Sugar mills are obligated to purchase sugarcane from farmers at government-notified rates. The FRP is tied to a basic sugar recovery rate of 10.25 percent, below which farmers receive a lower price, reducing their earnings.

For the 2026-27 season, the FRP has been set at ₹365 per quintal. The Food Ministry has instructed sugar mills to sell 13 lt of sugar within the first fortnight of November after allocating quotas to mills. There is no quota for the two importers under the advance licence scheme after the October 31 deadline.