New Delhi: Sugar output in October-March 2011-12 rose 13 per cent to 23.2 million tonnes (mt) against 20.45 mt last year, the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) said.
The industry body expects output in the sugar year-ending September 2012 to exceed its initial estimates of 26 mt. About 385 sugar mills continued to crush cane as on March 31, 2012, against 329 in the previous year.
Output in Uttar Pradesh stood at 6.63 mt till March-end (5.88 mt). Maharashtra produced 8.01 mt, about 8 lakh tonnes more than last year. Karnataka, the third largest producer, recorded an output of 3.5 mt, about 5 lakh tonnes more than last year.
With a projected output of 26 mt and domestic consumption pegged at 22 mt, ISMA believes that another 1.5 mt could be exported in the current year. The Government has so far permitted exports of 3 mt.
“With the current trend of sowing across the country, it seems certain that sugar production in 2012-13 season will be higher than the domestic requirement and the country may continue to remain a net exporter next year too. A firmer estimation of production would be available only after a couple of months,” ISMA said.
“Since the window for exports seems to be available only for the next couple of months before Brazilian sugar production hits the international market, the Government should allow the fourth tranche of sugar exports of around 15 lakh tonnes” it said.
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